Cricket: Handscomb takes blame for Smith's 'brain fade'

Australian batsman Peter Handscomb. Photo / Alan Gibson

Peter Handscomb has taken the blame for Australia's controversial use of the Decision Review System after former captain Michael Clarke expressed concern about whether the second test incident was a "one-off".

Angry India skipper Kohli all but accused Australia of cheating, claiming they were rorting the DRS in Bangalore, ensuring an acrimonious postscript to the test which the hosts won by 75 runs on Tuesday to level the series.

Two former India captains called on the ICC to come down hard on Australian captain Steve Smith following his lbw dismissal when, prompted by batting partner Handscomb, he glanced at teammates in his changeroom while mulling whether to review the verdict.

The laws of the game dictate that players must make such decisions without any help from outside the field and Smith described his actions as a "brain fade".

Handscomb, later put up his hand to take the blame, pleading ignorance of the rules.

"I referred Smudga [Smith] to look at the box ... my fault and was unaware of the rule," Handscomb said on Twitter.

"Shouldn't take anything away from what was an amazing game!"

An irate Kohli claimed in his post-match press conference that the Australians had been seeking advice from support staff regarding referrals for "the last three days".

"I saw that happening two times when I was batting out there. I pointed it out to the umpires ... it has to stop," he said.

Former India captains Sourav Ganguly and Sunil Gavaskar both urged the ICC to take action against Smith, but the batsman is expected to escape punishment.

Clarke made it clear he did not want to be too judgmental of his successor as Australia skipper, noting he was keen to find out more about Kohli's claims.