Ishant Sharma Reveals Virat Kohli's Words After His Famous Face-off With Steve Smith In 2017 Bengaluru Test

Updated - 04 Jun 2020, 12:27 AM

Ishant Sharma, Steve Smith (Credits: ESPNCricinfo)

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Ishant Sharma hilariously mocking Steve Smith during the Bengaluru Test in 2017 remains one of the funniest moments of the famous India-Australia rivalry which rarely sees a light moment on the field. The senior India pacer had taken the term ‘face-off’ literally as he tried to get under the skin of Steve Smith in the thrilling Test. His action had left everyone on the field in splits.

The lanky pacer recently recalled that famous episode while interacting with his India teammate Mayank Agarwal on bcci.tv. Ishant Sharma revealed that that his decision to make faces at Smith was just a case of doing whatever he could to upset Smith’s rhythm.

“We had lost the Pune Test, and the series was on the line. The wicket on Bengaluru had its ups-and-downs. You try your best to upset the batsman. He was playing and doing all sorts of things. I tried my best to upset him. I knew if I could get his wicket, we can win the match. So, I was trying to get him out of his comfort zone. I knew if he became comfortable, he could win the match,” Ishant Sharma said.

Virat Kohli’s words:

Ishant Sharma further revealed what captain Virat Kohli told him after the incident. Kohli, who was fielding at slips, was left in splits immediately after noticing Ishant’s facial expressions. The right-arm pacer revealed Kohli has given him the freedom to do whatever he likes, provided that he does not get banned.

“He (Virat Kohli) always says just get me the wicket and do whatever you want. He just tells me not to get banned. So, when I was banned in Sri Lanka he came again and said do everything you want but just don’t get banned,” said Ishant Sharma.