Michael Clarke calls DRS-gate "completely unacceptable"

03/09/2017

Michael Clarke has backed Virat Kohli’s stance on the Smith-DRS row saying it is “unacceptable” if they are taking help from the dressing room for reviews. The former Australian skipper has also praised Kohli’s aggressive captaincy, Ashwin’s brilliance, and the Pujara-Rahane partnership.

In the 21st over of Australia’s second innings in the second Test, Umesh Yadav trapped Steve Smith in front, with a delivery that kept very low. After the umpire raised his finger, Smith spoke to his partner Peter Handscomb and then looked at the dressing room, to ask if he should go for the review. The Australian skipper has come under a lot of criticism for this action with Virat Kohli stopping just short of calling them cheaters in the post-match press conference.

Now Kohli’s opinion has found support from former Australian captain Michael Clarke.

"From my perspective, when I was playing I remember having a brain fade when I gloved a ball and did not walk off. So I don't want to be too judgemental on anybody. If what Virat is saying is true and Australia are using their support staff to help them with DRS then that's not on, it is completely unacceptable.

If what Virat is saying is true and Australia are using their support staff to help them with DRS then that's not on, it is completely unacceptable.

Clarke

"I think Smith respects the game and if it's a one-off, then it's a brain fade. If you look at the footage, Peter Handscomb actually suggested Smith to turn around and look to the support staff. If this was a one-off, I don't think that would have happened. The fact that Handscomb is even thought of asking the Australian skipper to turn around and look to the support staff, I've got my concerns.

"I want to give my opinion but I want to find out more about it. But if Virat is correct and if Australia are using DRS that way then it is completely unacceptable and it is not a brain fade," Clarke told India Today.

Clarke has also praised India for the way they fought back in Bengaluru to win the Test by 75 runs and level the four-match Test series at 1-1. He pointed out the partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, two players who were under a lot of pressure to perform after firing blanks in Pune, which took India out of the woods and gave them a substantial lead of 187 runs. Clarke also lauded Kohli's aggressive captaincy and Ashwin's brilliance with the ball.

He said, "India deserve a lot of credit. They did not lose a wicket in the last session on day three. Pujara and Rahane deserve a lot of credit for setting up this match for India. Kohli was aggressive in his captaincy. (Ravichandran) Ashwin once again showed he is absolutely brilliant. India's 187-run lead was plenty for Australia.”

Michael Clarke calls DRS-gate "completely unacceptable"

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