Bengaluru Test: Tempers flare as Virat Kohli 'all but accuses' Steve Smith of cheating in usage of DRS

New Delhi: The rivalry between India and Australia has gone to an all new level after the hosts secured a scintillating victory in the Bengaluru Test. The result, however, got marred by a controversy as Aussie captain Steve Smith was found seeking dressing room assistance while deciding whether to review his LBW decision on Day 4 or not.

In the post match conference, Kohli slammed Smith while indirectly accusing him of 'cheating' in the usage of DRS. (IND vs AUS - Full Coverage | As it happened | Report)

"We have been inconsistent with the DRS but we take our decisions on the field, we don't ask for confirmation from the dressing room," a sarcastic Kohli let it rip after India's 75-run victory in the second Test.

Asked if he was accusing the Australian team of cheating, Kohli retorted, "I have not said that either."

It was the 21st over of the Australian second innings, which collapsed to 112.

Smith was trapped LBW by pacer Umesh Yadav and having already blown a DRS call, involving David Warner, the Australians were in a fix on whether to go for another referral.

Smith first turned to the non-striker's end to seek an opinion within the mandated 15 seconds. But sparks flew when the umpires noticed that the batsman had turned towards the dressing room as well to get a clue.

The on-field officials immediately intervened to stop Smith but matters came to a head when Kohli too joined the discussion, leading to an exchange between him and the rival captain.

Rules pertaining to the usage of DRS clearly state that "signals from dressing room must not be given".

Both captains have had their quite a few subtle altercations during the series thus far, but tempers seem to have risen to all new levels as the second Test concluded.

(With PTI inputs)