The Board of Control for Cricket in India [BCCI] have decided to withdraw the complaint against Australia captain Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb over the DRS row during the second Test between India and Australia in Bengaluru.
The International Cricket Council [ICC] had released a statement on Wednesday stating that they would take no action regarding the issue, but the BCCI had decided to file a complaint with the ICC on Thursday afternoon.
But after a meeting between BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and Cricket Australia [CA] CEO James Sutherland in Mumbai, the Indian cricket board decided to withdraw the complaint.
“India has always cherished a contest with Australia and over the years, the performances of both, the teams and the players, are testimony to the level of competitiveness that exists between these two teams,” said Johri in the joint statement by the BCCI and CA.
“While having responded officially to one such incident which happened in the last Test, together, we believe that the focus of the teams and the joy they provide to the fans, should not be diluted and it is imperative to ensure that the rest of the series, which promises a great cricketing contest, not be compromised.
“Subsequently, BCCI will withdraw the complaint filed with ICC with an expectation that the two captains will meet prior to the Ranchi Test and commit to lead their teams by example and play the rest of the series, in the right spirit, demonstrating that the players from both teams are true ambassadors for their respective countries.”
On day four of the Bengaluru Test, Smith was given out leg-before-wicket [LBW] by umpire Nigel Llong and as is the case with most LBW decisions these days, he went to have a discussion with non-striker Peter Handscomb to check if he could review the umpire’s decision.
Both batsmen seemed to be unsure and after a suggestion from Handscomb, Smith looked at the away dressing room for help which is not allowed, according to the rules.
In the post-match press conference, Smith had called the incident as a “brain fade”, but India captain Virat Kohli suggested that the visitors had used the method previously in the Test.
Too much negative feedback @CricketAus @BCCI My thoughts the cricket has spoken for itself. Clean the slate and let cricket be the winner.
— Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) March 9, 2017
