VVS Laxman lashes out at Steve Smith without confirming the proper facts

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman lashed out at Australian captain Steve Smith for mocking Virat Kohli’s injury during the 3rd day of the 3rd Test between the two cricketing superpowers. The Indian fans and media went berserk after Glenn Maxwell held his shoulder to mock Kohli after chasing a delivery till the boundary ropes. Apparently, Smith also did the same thing in the very next over when Kohli was dismissed.

Although Maxwell did grab his shoulders, Smith never did anything to mock Kohli. Actually, the hand on Smith’s shoulder which started doing rounds in social media was not his, but that of a teammates who was hugging him after he had taken Kohli’s catch. Twitterati was flooded with hate messages for Smith as everyone believed the hand to be Smith’s.

VVS Laxman was no different and criticised him for not playing the game in the right spirit. He also gave reference to Phil Hughes’ death and said after the unfortunate incident people have started getting more concerned when the opposition player is injured. Laxman who was given the name “Very Very Special Laxman” by Australia might not be special to them anymore after his outburst against Smith for something which he never did.

“Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith, what example is he setting to his team? That’s very disappointing. You can sledge … it’s fine, but not mocking someone who is injured, in pain,” Laxman was quoted as saying during his interaction with Mayanti Langer in the Star Sports Post tea show.

“I’ve never experienced that because when you are injured, you always care for the opposition player as well. Especially after what happened to Phil Hughes, everyone is concerned when someone gets injured.

“Whether he gets hit on the helmet or is injured, there is a concern.You play the game a hard way but the spirit of the game should be there. This is defying the spirit of the game,” he further added. Despite all the drama surrounding the series, Murali Vijay said that they are taking it in the sporting spirit despite the indecent behaviour by the Australian team.

“All of the players are aware of it. And whatever they are doing, we take it as a sporting thing. There’s going to be a second innings. So hopefully they can take it (when it comes back). It’ll be great,” Vijay said.