The International Cricket Council will take no action against Australia skipper Steve Smith despite the DRS controversy that erupted during the second Test against India in Bengaluru.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ICC clarified that they had considered separate incidents involving Smith and India skipper Virat Kohli, but did not feel any of them deserved punishment.
“The ICC has considered both incidents in the context of this match and concluded it will be taking no further action against either player,” the statement read.
“No charges have been laid against any player under the ICC Code of Conduct following the second Test match between India and Australia in Bengaluru,” it added.
“Specifically in relation to Steve Smith and Virat Kohli, the ICC has considered both incidents in the context of this match and concluded it will be taking no further action against either player.”
The statement did not specify which incident involving Kohli had been examined.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “We have just witnessed a magnificent game of Test cricket where players from both teams gave their all and emotions were running high during and after the match.
“We would encourage both teams to focus their energies on the third Test in Ranchi next week. Ahead of that, the match referee will bring both Captains together to remind them of their responsibilities to the game.”
Kohli on Tuesday had laid into his Smith, just falling short of accusing the opposition of cheating after the right-hand batsman tried to seek assistance from the dressing room while taking a DRS call. The BCCI on Wednesday had also asked the ICC to take cognizance of Smith’s “brain fade” admission.
According to a report by NDTV, BCCI is set to appeal ICC’s decision on Thursday.
