ICC takes no action after heated Test

The International Cricket Council has not charged a single player involved in the heated second Test between India and Australia, after releasing a statement saying no code of conduct charges will be laid.

The ICC has cleared captains Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and their respective sides of any wrongdoing despite a confrontational Test that ended with Kohli accusing his opposite number of foul play.

Quick Single: CA boss rejects 'outrageous' claim, BCCI stands by Kohli

In a statement released early on Thursday morning (AEDT), the governing body outlined it had "considered both incidents" in relation to Smith and Kohli but decided against enforcing disciplinary action.

The ICC did not detail what those incidents were, but there have been calls for action to be taken against Smith for looking to the dressing room while pondering a review and against Kohli for questioning the integrity of his counterpart in a tense post-match press conference. 

It did confirm, however, match referee Richie Richardson - who is replacing Chris Broad in the role for the final two matches of the series - will hold a pre-match captains' meeting in Ranchi ahead of the crucial third Test.

"We have just witnessed a magnificent game of Test cricket where players from both teams gave their all and emotions were running high during and after the match," ICC chief executive David Richardson said.

"We would encourage both teams to focus their energies on the third Test in Ranchi next week.

"Ahead of that, the match referee will bring both Captains together to remind them of their responsibilities to the game."

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In his post-match media conference, Kohli accused the Australians of repeatedly looking to the team dressing room for guidance on whether or not to pursue reviews under the Decision Review System when out in the middle, a practice that is forbidden under Test cricket playing conditions.

The India skipper stopped short of accusing the Australians of cheating, but made it clear he believed it was unfair and claimed he had raised the matter with the on-field umpires as well as match referee Broad.

The two umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth had their hands full dealing with a host of other confrontations in the match and spoke to Kohli on numerous occasions.

Fast-bowler Mitchell Starc both delivered and received a send-off, while Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin and Steve O'Keefe were all rebuked by officials during the contest.

After a failed review on a tight lbw decision off Josh Hazlewood, Kohli left the field visibily displeased and waved his bat furiously to suggest he'd hit the ball before it hit him on the pad.

The Australian newspaper has reported that the incensed batsman then struck a drink bottle in the India team viewing area, which ricocheted off a television before hitting an Australia team official in the adjoining box.

That report also alleges Kohli made a throat-slitting gesture towards India's change-rooms following Peter Handscomb's dismissal on the final day of the match, possibly in reference to the 'cut the head off the snake' metaphor that has been mentioned by both sides during the series.  

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon used the metaphor after day one of the second Test in describing the importance of the right-hander to India's batting-order. It prompted Kohli, who's made 40 runs in four hits in the series, to respond by suggesting the "snake did pretty well by itself".

Kohli also took aim at Ian Healy in his post-match press conference after the former Australia wicketkeeper said during the Test he was "losing respect" for the firebrand. The 28-year-old Indian responded to the criticism by referencing a bat-throwing incident from 1997 where Healy copped a two-game suspension for dissent.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ashwin, in a video on the BCCI website, detailed sledging aimed at Australia players during the match.

Quick Single: Pujara reveals his sledge to Warner

Both Cricket Australia and the BCCI have resolutely stood by the actions of their respective sides and captains, with CA chief executive James Sutherland labelling Kohli's allegations as "outrageous".

"Steve is an outstanding cricketer and person, and role model to many aspiring cricketers and we have every faith that there was no ill-intent in his actions," Sutherland said from India on Wednesday.

"I find the allegations questioning the integrity of Steve Smith, the Australian team and the dressing room, outrageous.

"We reject any commentary that suggests our integrity was brought into disrepute or that systemic unfair tactics are used, and stand by Steve and the Australian cricketers who are proudly representing our country." 

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The BCCI likewise insisted it stands by Kohli's incendiary claims after reviewing footage of Smith's review, suggesting umpire Llong's reaction to it and the Australia captain's own admission of guilt were justification for them.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after due deliberation and seeing the video replays of the episode steadfastly stands with the Indian cricket team and its captain Mr. Virat Kohli," the statement says.

"Mr. Virat Kohli is a mature and seasoned cricketer and his conduct on the field has been exemplary. 

"Mr. Kohli's action was supported by ICC Elite Panel Umpire Mr. Nigel Llong who rushed in to dissuade Mr. Steve Smith from taking recourse to inappropriate assistance. 

"BCCI has requested the ICC to take cognizance of the fact that the Australian skipper Mr. Steve Smith in his press conference admitted to a 'brain fade' at that moment. 

"BCCI sincerely hopes that the rest of the matches are played in the true spirit of cricket."

- with AAP