India vs Australia: Virat Kohli takes reconciliatory path, says his friendship comment was 'blown out of proportion'

New Delhi: Hours after Brad Hodge​ tendered an unconditional apology to Virat Kohli and the people of India, the Indian captain released a statement on Thursday, saying his “post match conference” at Dharamasala “has been blown way out of proportion.”

Moments after India's eight-wicket victory at Dharamsala, Kohli said in the post-match press conference that after all the altercations on and off the field, he doesn't consider Australian cricketers as his friends.

"No, it has changed for sure. I thought that was the case but it has changed for sure. As I said in the heat of the battle, you want to be competitive but yeah I have been proven wrong.

"The thing I said before the first Test, I have certainly been proven wrong and you won't hear me say that ever again," Kohli said.

Aussie legends Mark Taylor, Dean Jones and others took Kohli's comments as parting words, and shared their disappointment.

Kohli, 28, took to Twitter to clarify his stand, and he wrote, “My answer at the post match conference has been blown way out of proportion. I did not categorically say the whole Australian team.”

1/2 My answer at the post match conference has been blown way out of proportion. I did not categorically say the whole Australian team but — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2017

“But only a couple of individuals.I continue to be in good terms with the few guys I know & who I've played with at RCB & that doesn't change,” he added.

2/2only a couple of individuals.I continue to be in good terms with the few guys I know & who I've played with at RCB & that doesn't change. — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2017

Interestingly, Kohli and RCB will rely heavily on the likes of Aussies Shane Watson, Travis Head and Billy Stanlake in their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign.

And, it doesn't come as a surprise as the players from all around the world will once again mingle together, as team-mates, in possibly the biggest carnival of cricket when the 10th edition of IPL starts next week.

It's worth noting that that the India-Australia series was mired in an seemingly endless controversies, from start to the end.

It all started when Australian captain Steve Smith took dressing room help in taking a DRS call and Kohli stopped short of calling him a cheat. It was followed by a relentless attack on Kohli by the rival players and Australian media.

Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was caught mocking an injured Kohli by imitating the latter's gait. Kohli had injured his right shoulder on Day 1 of the Ranchi Test.

It even threatened to spiral out of control with both cricket boards, BCCI and CA, coming out with strong words in defence of their respective captains. Some even likened Kohli to controversial the US President Donald Trump.

The tension continued to simmered till the end, with fireworks coming in the form of Ravindra Jadeja-Matthew Wade verbal duel in Dharamsala. Yes, Smith was heard using a cuss word against Murali Vijay for claiming a catch that was deemed not clean.