Boards make peace after heated Test

In the wake of an explosive second Test in Bengaluru, Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have announced a ceasefire for the remainder of the Qantas Tour of India.

Tensions bubbled over at M Chinnaswamy Stadium between the top two Test nations as opposing captains Steve Smith and Virat Kohli clashed on several occasions during the 75-run win by the home side that levelled the four-match series at 1-1.

Accusations of foul play were issued by Kohli in regard to Smith looking at the dressing room for assistance when contemplating a referral on day four in Bengaluru.

No sanctions or penalties were issued by the International Cricket Council, however, as is permitted under the ICC's code of conduct, the BCCI filed a complaint against Smith and Peter Handscomb on Thursday.

It's understood CA had no intention of lodging their own complaint, and believe disciplinary issues are better handled by the ICC.

But following the meeting between CA CEO James Sutherland and BCCI CEO Rahul Johri at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Thursday (which had been arranged prior to the second Test), the series hosts withdrew their complaint to the ICC.

"A series between India and Australia is bound to generate considerable excitement for fans in both the countries,” Sutherland said. 

“On the field the two teams are fierce competitors who represent their countries with pride. 

“As we have seen this week in Bangalore, with so much at stake, tensions can bubble over.  

“We are halfway through what has already been a riveting series – and there is still much to look forward to.  

"In discussing the relevant issues in depth, we have agreed that it is in the best interests of the game to put these differences aside and clear the way for the focus to be on the cricket, and the remaining matches of the series.”

On Wednesday, Sutherland threw his support behind Test captain Steve Smith, the Australia Team and the dressing room when their integrity was challenged by Kohli in regards to the systematic outsourcing of DRS referrals.

Sutherland labelled Kohli's allegations "outrageous", while the BCCI likewise stood by their skipper, pointing to Smith's own admission of a "brain fade" as vindication for the claims.

But those differences appear to have been put aside; in accordance with the unified stance with CA, Mr Johri says the attention should now be focused on the remaining two Tests in Ranchi and Dharamsala.  

"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,” Johri said.

“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.”

Test Squads

India (for third and fourth Tests): Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandaran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund.

Australia: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Stephen O'Keefe, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade

Australia's schedule in India

Feb 23-27, First Test, Pune - Australia won by 333 runs.

Mar 4-8, Second Test, Bengaluru - India won by 75 runs.

Mar 16-20, Third Test, Ranchi

Mar 25-29, Fourth Test, Dharamsala