‘We did not even learn about it’: India batting coach reacts to Steve Smith incident throughout third Test

Image Source : GETTY IMAGES India batting coach Vikram Rathour has reacted to the Steve Smith incident throughout the ultimate day of the third Test in Sydney.
On Day 5 of the third Test in Sydney, Steve Smith was caught scuffing the crease, with former cricketers suggesting that he did it with an intention to take away Rishabh Pant’s guard marks. Even as Tim Paine reiterated that Smith had no such intention, the followers on social media proceed to criticise the Australian batsman over his actions.

Justifiably, the query over the incident was raised throughout a media interplay with India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour. The coach, nevertheless, downplayed the incident, insisting that the aspect “didn’t even know” about it till after the sport.

“Basically, we didn’t even know about the incident. We knew only after the game when the media picked it up. As a batsman, Rishabh Pant wasn’t even aware. I wouldn’t like to comment as it hardly mattered,” Rathour mentioned.

Earlier, Justin Langer additionally defended Smith.

“I have been quite shocked and disappointed by the reaction to this,” Smith himself had instructed the Daily Telegraph. “It’s something I do in games to visualise where we are bowling, how the batter is playing our bowlers and then out of habit I always mark centre.”

“I literally cannot believe some of the rubbish I read about Steve Smith. Absolute load of rubbish. If anyone knows Steve Smith – he is a bit quirky, he does some weird stuff. We have all laughed about it for the last couple of years,” mentioned Langer whereas talking to the media throughout a digital interplay.

“I’ve spoken about it publicly and I’ve spoken about it privately that he’s a bit quirky. What Smith does on the crease, he does at most video games.

“Anyone who suggests for one millisecond he was doing anything untoward, they are way out of line. Absolutely out of line. That wicket was so flat… it was like concrete. You need 15 inch spikes to make an indent on the crease.”