Smith rues ‘brain fade’, enjoys Kohli ‘banter’

Australia skipper Steve Smith described his decision Tuesday to look for guidance from the dressing room after being dismissed in his side’s 75-run defeat to India as a “brain fade”.

The Aussie batsman also said repeated exchanges of words with his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli during the tempestuous second Test in Bangalore were just “a bit of banter”.

Smith’s lbw dismissal to Umesh Yadav was a major setback to Australia’s 188-run chase, with the hosts eventually bundling the visitors for only 112 in the final session of day four.

Yadav’s low delivery struck Smith on the pad but the star batsman only walked after looking up at the Australian box for a signal on whether he should challenge the decision. Seeking guidance from backroom staff on reviews is not allowed.

Read More: Smith ton helps Australia set India 441 to win

“I was looking at our boys. So shouldn’t have done that. A bit of brain fade,” Smith told reporters.

“Obviously I got hit on the pad and looked down to (Peter) Handscomb and he said look out there. Then I just turned around and said what do you reckon?” added Smith.

Umpires quickly sprung into action to gently nudge the batsman away as Indian Kohli vented his fury at the officials.

Tempers flared between the old rivals during the course of the match with Kohli and Smith having numerous run-ins with each other.

Virat Kohli taunts Australia team player during… by arynews

“(With) Australia and India playing there are always emotions flying around. As long it’s kept on the field that’s all good,” said Smith.

“Some interesting banter between the two oppositions. I think it makes for a great contest.

“Me and Virat were just having a chat out there. Not much in it. Just a bit of fun, a bit of banter. These are things that happen in the game,” he added.

Smith also admitted to another communication blunder between him and Shaun Marsh after the latter walked away without reviewing his own lbw off Yadav.

The batsmen decided not to use their last remaining review but TV replays suggested the ball would have missed the off stump by quite a distance.

“I said “Go” as in “Go have a look at it.” But he turned around and started walking. May be I should have just put my hands up and done it (reviewed),” said Smith.

India and Australia are locked at 1-1 in the four match series going into the third Test in Ranchi on March 16.