Gavaskar condemns ICC for clearing Smith

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar says the International Cricket Council has set a dangerous precedent by clearing Steve Smith's dodgy deed in Bangalore.

Indian great Sunil Gavaskar has condemned the International Cricket Council for failing to act on Steve Smith.

The 125-Test veteran lashed out at the ICC for clearing Smith over his misdeed on day four of the spiteful second Test, saying he'd love to see Virat Kohli adopt the same illegal tactic in Ranchi.

Australia's captain looked to the changeroom for advice on whether or not to review a plumb lbw verdict, which came when the game was in the balance.

The ICC took a view that the matter was dealt with at the time by umpire Nigel Llong, who ordered Smith leave the ground. No player was charged by match referee Chris Broad despite a number of heated run-ins.

Gavaskar was shocked, making frank comments that have extended an acrimonious postscript to India's series-levelling win in Bangalore.

"It can't be that some countries get favourable treatment and some countries do not get favourable treatment," the man whose name jointly adorns the trophy Australia and India are currently battling for told NDTV.

"If an Indian player (seeks illegal advice from the changeroom) then he also should not be pulled up at all.

"I would actually love to see Virat Kohli, if he is given out (in the third Test) ... and he looks at the Indian dressing room, get some sort of feedback from them.

"Yes or no, I don't know what signal they decide upon.

"Let's see what the match referee and the ICC decides then."

NDTV reported the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would "appeal" the ICC's decision to clear Smith.

BCCI chief executive Rahul Johri has the power to report an alleged breach of the sport's code of conduct. Smith's transgression came during a game, so ICC rules dictate a report from Johri would need to be lodged by Thursday afternoon.

That would be a shock move from the BCCI, given the ICC has already ticked off Broad's assessment.

"(Broad) hasn't seen that there is anything that was done that was in breach of the ICC code of conduct," Gavaskar said.

"I can rave and rant and do whatever we have to do about it but the match referee says nothing's the matter or at least that's what the ICC statement suggests.

"You can say it's wrong, it's not correct, it's a snub to the BCCI and Virat Kohli and the Indian team but basically that is that."


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Source: AAP



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