James Sutherland, the CEO of Cricket Australia, termed the accusations levelled by Indian captain Virat Kohli of Australia indulging in unfair play during the second Test in Australia as “outrageous” in a statement on Wednesday.

“I find the allegations questioning the integrity of Steve Smith, the Australian team and the dressing room outrageous,” said Sutherland. “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.”

He added, “We reject any commentary that suggests our integrity was brought into disrepute or that systematic unfair tactics are used, and stand by Steve and the Australian cricketers who are proudly representing our country”

In a major onfield incident on Day 4 during the second India-Australia Test in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli was incensed by his Australian counterpart looking towards the dressing room to get an indication of whether he should review his leg-before-wicket decision. He later termed it as “crossing the line” and dismissing Smith’s explanation that it was a “brainfade”.