DHARAMSALA: One of the most spiteful series in recent memory has ended in acrimony with Indian captain Virat Kohli declaring friendships have been lost, while Steve Smith took aim at the Indian board for breaching an unwritten rule of the game.
There was no room for forgiveness at the home town of the Dalai Lama with relations between both nations still sour after India regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with an emphatic eight-wicket victory. The series is over but the spotfires lit in Bangalore and Dharamsala are still raging and unlikely to be extinguished any time soon despite the end to the on-field hostilities.
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India's 2-1 series victory was overshadowed by the bad blood that still lingers between the two sides. Still unhappy at being mocked by Glenn Maxwell for his injured shoulder, Kohli refused to bury the hatchet with the Australians, delivering a terse parting shot.
The Indian captain had said before the series he was "really good friends" with the Australians but that is no longer the case after a fiercely fought series.
"No, it has changed," Kohli said. "I thought that was the case, but it has changed for sure. As I said, in the heat of the battle you want to be competitive but I've been proven wrong. The thing I said before the first Test, that has certainly changed and you won't hear me say that ever again."
The Australians are unlikely to lose any sleep over Kohli's comments as the Indian captain is far from popular in their dressing room. Kohli's reaction is synonymous of a the new-age Indian side that is not prepared to back down when confronted by opposition sides looking to intimidate them.
"This team, regardless of whether we are on top or not, we speak," Kohli said earlier on Star Sports. "We give it right back. We take it very well and we give it back even better. Some people want to create some spice sitting in some part of the world. This team doesn't take a backwards step from anyone."
Smith took aim at the Board of Control for Cricket in India for airing an on-field conversation between Matthew Wade and Ravindra Jadeja which did not reflect well on the Australians.
![Series over: Steve Smith shakes hands with Indian counterpart Virat Kohli after the fourth Test.](/web/20170329224358im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/8/e/d/x/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gv8i4a.png/1490740563905.jpg)
It is the responsibility of the home board to comply with the International Cricket Council guidelines which state that the stump mic must be turned off when the ball is dead. While part of Jadeja and Wade's conversation had gone to air, Smith's remarks that Jadeja was not picked overseas because he was "useless" had not. However, the BCCI muted the commentary so that Smith's sledge could be heard.
Australia were unhappy with host broadcaster Star Sports during the third Test for alleging Smith had mocked Kohli. It's understood Star Sports had misled former India great and analyst VVS Laxman by not showing the footage that exonerated Smith.
"I was a little bit disappointed that the BCCI seived through the archive to find a conversation out on the field that was happening between Matty and Jadeja," Smith said. "Usually what's said on the field should stay on the field."
Smith apologised for an expletive-laden outburst where he called Murali Vijay a "f---ing cheat" after claiming a contentious catch.
"I have been very intense and at times I have let my emotions falter a little bit throughout this series and I apologise for that," Smith said. "That's a big stride for me moving forward and something I can really learn from and continue to grow as an individual and as a leader."
Players are extremely sensitive about the sound effects being turned up. Channel Nine issued an apology to former Australian captain Michael Clarke after his "get ready for a broken f---ing arm" comment was aired during the 2013/14 Ashes series.
Clarke was fined 20 per cent of his match fee for a comment that would not have gone to air had protocols been followed.