Kumble welcomes 'mature call' to move on from Bangalore DRS row
Anil Kumble has welcomed the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia to move on from the controversy that marred the second Test in Bangalore.
India levelled the four-Test series last week, but their triumph at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was overshadowed by a row over Australia's use of the Decision Review System (DRS).
Australia captain Steve Smith looked up towards his team's dressing room after being dismissed on day four, in an apparent attempt to seek guidance over a review, and opposite number Virat Kohli went on to suggest similar incidents had occurred earlier in the match.
As the matter escalated, Australia strongly denied any suggestion they had looked to gain an unfair advantage, while India raised a complaint with the ICC.
However, the BCCI and Cricket Australia subsequently issued a joint statement, agreeing "the importance of bringing back the focus to the game", with the former confirming the withdrawal of their complaint.
At work - captain @imVkohli #TeamIndia #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/77YosOB30H
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 14, 2017
"I am very glad that the BCCI took a very mature call with Cricket Australia, to issue a joint statement that cricket needs to move on and we have moved on from whatever happened in Bangalore," said India head coach Kumble on Tuesday.
"That, I think, is important because the focus, obviously, has to be on the game."
Last week's joint statement confirmed Smith and Kohli would meet ahead of this week's third Test in Ranchi and "commit to lead their teams by example and play the rest of the series in the right spirit."
Kumble indicated he would not need to speak to any of his team regarding their on-field conduct.
"You don't want to curb any natural instincts of the players. As long as they go out there and then do what is expected of them, there is absolutely no issues with that and I don't think we need to read too much into that, you know, aggression, or body language or whatever you say.
"Every player has his own way of having a game face and that is what you want. It's an international sport and you want everyone to go out there and then show what they are capable of and this is a very important series. It's one-all and so obviously both teams will come hard in this game and I am sure cricket will be the winner.
"We have moved on and the focus is back on the game."
