Kumble won’t ask Kohli and Co. to curb aggression

TIL Desk Sports/ India coach Anil Kumble has said there was no need for his team to curb its aggression despite the din over on-field behaviour in what is turning out to be an intensely-fought Test series against Australia. “I don’t want to curb any natural instinct of the players as long as they go out there and do what is expected of them. I don’t think we need to read too much into the aggression.

Every player has his own way of having a game face,” Kumble said ahead of the third Test. The big-ticket series is poised at 1-1, with everything to play for in the remaining two matches. On aggression, Kumble added, “And that’s what you want. You want everyone to go out there and show what they are capable of. This is a very important series. It’s 1-1. Both teams will come hard in this game. I’m sure cricket will be the winner.”

The DRS controversy surrounding Steve Smith’s dismissal threatened to overshadow India’s fightback, eventually prompting BCCI and Cricket Australia to issue a joint statement to bring the matter to an end.