Friday 25 November 2016 15:47, UK
India captain Virat Kohli has "laughed off" speculation that video footage from the first Test against England in Rajkot could have depicted him ball-tampering.
The pictures of Kohli, with what looked to be a small mint in his mouth before shining the ball with saliva, were interpreted by some as evidence he was indulging in the same practice which landed South Africa captain Faf du Plessis with a fine of his full match fee following the second Test against Australia.
Unlike Du Plessis, who is appealing against the ICC verdict, Kohli faced no inquiry - because the governing body's stipulated five-day window in which to start any proceedings had already passed when the video came to light.
"I'm surprised the issue of what I've been told came up in Rajkot, but there was no mention until the result in Vizag," said Kohli.
"To me, a newspaper article doesn't matter over the decision of ICC. We as cricketers respect that only. Allegations and speculations? Someone told me, and I laughed it off."
Kohli insists he will not be deflected from his task in hand - to extend India's 1-0 lead in the five-Test series when the third Test gets underway on Saturday.
"Some people are trying to take the focus away from the series - good luck to them. But we're totally focused on what we have to do," he said. "If was doing something (wrong), ICC would have spoken to me."
Kohli says his side expect England to hit back in Mohali after the 246-run defeat in the second Test and are prepared for Jos Buttler's recall to the tourists' XI.
"He's a very talented player," Kohli added. "We've all seen him do very well for England, (and) we all saw him do really well in Bangladesh as well during the ODI series where he showed composure.
"So we know he's a quality player. We understand his potential and we're quite aware what he brings to the table. We're not thinking it's a decision made in panic."
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