Hours after lodging a complaint with the ICC against Australian players for violating the DRS rules on the field, the BCCI has withdrawn the petition against skipper Steven Smith and Peter Handscomb.
The BCCI had last evening lodged an official complaint trying to press Level 2 charge against Smith and Handscomb for violating spirit of the game.
However Cricket Australia (CA) Chief Executive James Sutherland on Thursday met his opposite number Rahul Johri at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai to resolve the issue. It was decided that the two captains would meet in Ranchi to solve the crisis.
"BCCI and CA have resolved to restore focus on the ongoing series amidst the increased attention towards issues which have emanated during the course of the 2nd Test match in Bangalore," a press release stated.
Johri and Sutherland discussed the matters at length, agreed the importance of bringing back the focus to the game and the much anticipated next Test match in Ranchi.
“A series between India and Australia is bound to generate considerable excitement for fans in both the countries. 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,” Sutherland said.
"We are half way 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," Sutherland added.
Johri on his part said that 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.
"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," he concluded.
The incident occurred on the fourth day of the second Test in Bengaluru, when Smith looked towards the dressing room after having chatted with non-striker Handscomb when given out lbw to pacer Umesh Yadav. Australia eventually lost the Test by 75 runs on that day itself.
Smith's action prompted on-field umpire Nigel Llong to intervene immediately and the Aussie captain was not allowed to review the decision.
The 27-year-old Smith, in the post-match presser, however, defended himself by terming it as "brain fade" -- which Indian skipper Virat Kohli outrightly refused to agree with. Instead, Kohli said that the visitors had repeated the same thing on at least three occasions during the game.
