Smith sorry for emotional outbursts

Australia captain Steve Smith has apologised for letting his emotions get the better of him at certain times throughout the heated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

But the touring skipper said he was disappointed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India chose to show sections of an on-field chat between Matthew Wade and Ravindra Jadeja, that also featured Smith, on their website that was never aired on the broadcast. 

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Smith was later captured by Star Sports mouthing what appeared to be “f***ing cheat” in the away team dressing room after Murali Vijay’s catch of Josh Hazlewood was overturned. 

It wasn't the first controversy that had been centred upon the captain's actions throughout a heated series, with a self-described “brain fade” during the second Test in Bengaluru (Smith looked at his own changeroom for potential assistance while deciding whether to review his lbw dismissal) also causing a media storm and a furious reaction from opposite number Virat Kohli. 

Smith was the leading run-scorer of the series with 499 runs and three centuries, and the 27-year-old used his post-match speech in Dharamsala to apologise for letting his highly-charged feelings get the better of him.

“I’m proud of my performances in this series,” Smith said after Australia lost the series 2-1 on day four at HPCA Stadium. 

“I set myself very high standards and I wanted to lead from the front with my performances in this series. 

“I’ve been very intense and in my own little bubble and at times I’ve let my emotions and actions just falter a little bit and I apologise for that throughout this series. 

“That’s a big stride for me moving forward and something I can really learn from and grow as an individual and as a leader.”

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While Smith condemned his own actions, he also disapproved of the BCCI's video of the fiery discussion between Wade and Jadeja.

Wade and Jadeja exchanged verbal barbs during a mid-pitch spat, and while some of what was said was played on the world-feed broadcast via the stump microphone, Smith was unimpressed by the BCCI's efforts to show a commentary-free, full-length version of the argument between the players. 

While umpire Ian Gould quickly intervened to hose down the situation on the field, Smith was nonetheless left disappointed by what occurred thereafter. 

“I was a little bit disappointed that the BCCI sieved through the archives to find a conversation out on the field that was happening between Matty and Jadeja,” Smith said. 

“I think it’s happened between both sides this series so the fact that they’ve done that to us is a little bit disappointing. 

“Usually what’s said on the field should stay on the field. 

“It’s been a hard-fought series and guys are going to say things here and there and their emotions are going to be high and so they should be in such a big series.”