Relationship between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith will improve during IPL, says Michael Clarke

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke is certain that the relationship between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith will improve during the ongoing IPL. Clarke believes that things will not be as bitter between the two skippers in future, as they were during the recently concluded India-Australia Test series.

While attending a function at a city school in Kolkata along with Sourav Ganguly, Clarke was asked to share his thoughts on the recent controversy between the two captains.

“I do not feel it went into the deep. Otherwise, match-referee and ICC would have been more pro-active on the issue and tried to intervene with seriousness.” Clarke opined.

“Yes, it happened on the field and did not extend much. That is why I believe in near future there will be no controversy when these two teams will meet again,” Michael Clarke shared.

“Even, the relationship which turned sour between Kohli and Smith will regain its sweetness during the ongoing IPL as both the cricketers are playing in the League,” he added.

The entire India-Australia series drew attention for the negative vibes it churned up. The biggest controversy during the series was of course when Smith looked towards the Australian dressing room for advice on whether or not he should opt for a DRS; Smith was adjudged LBW off an Umesh Yadav delivery.

Virat Kohli was off in a flash and went straight to the umpire Nigel Llong to express his resentment at Smith’s unsportsmanlike conduct. Steve Smith went on to term the incident as a ‘brain fade’.

Kohli’s aggression carried on during the post-match press conference in Bengaluru, where Virat Kohli was quite explicit about the fact that the Australians had referred to the dressing room for hints on numerous occasions.

The unpleasant instances kept coming, with mockery taking center stage on the cricket field. There was clearly no love lost between the two sides.

“It will also not be there. All the exchange of heated words and bitterness between the two countries took place out of temporary excitement and it will wipe up with the game ending on the field,” Clarke said regarding Kohli’s aggression on the field.

Michael Clarke, who made his debut in the IPL commentary box, was asked about the prospects of shortest format of the game. “I sometimes get thrilled to have watched that the cricketers, who are superseding others in the Test cricket and in the 50 overs limited cricket, are also the best performers in the shorter version of the game,” he shared.

“I have three names for example. They are Kohli, Smith and AB De Villers. So how can I deny T-20 format?” Clarke added.

“This apart, I have watched a lot of cricketers in the last ten years since IPL began, who have come up with a lot of promise and talent. So, ultimately IPL is contributing in some way,” Clarke concluded.