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Rohit Sharma finally reveals backstory of his fight with Steve Smith alongside Virat Kohli

Kaushik Kashyap

Kohli-Smith exchange truth revealed. [Source - @seemsover/x.com]Kohli-Smith exchange truth revealed. [Source - @seemsover/x.com]

The 2014 Adelaide Test remains etched in Indian cricketing folklore. It marked Virat Kohli’s first outing as India’s Test captain, a game that announced a new, fearless era despite India’s narrow defeat, brimming with elite batting, fiery contests, and moments fans still revisit even today.

Packed with unforgettable moments, one visual from that match has lived rent-free in fans’ memories for over a decade. That Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara involved in a mid-pitch verbal exchange with Steve Smith, a story whose full context remained untold until now.

The real reason behind the heated exchange between Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith

The incident occurred during the 55th over of Australia’s second innings when Rohit Sharma was bowling part-time off-spin. Steve Smith, then settling into his innings, was repeatedly stepping down the track and using his pads to defend the ball. On one delivery, Rohit made a strong LBW appeal which was turned down.

What caught Rohit’s attention, however, was Smith immediately turning around and complaining to the umpire, something Rohit felt was unnecessary and provocative. This detail has finally come up again through a recent casual video featuring Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha, who was India’s wicket-keeper in that Test. 

Training together in a gym, Saha asked Rohit to reveal what truly ignited that moment. Rohit explained that Smith’s constant chatter and visible protest after the LBW appeal irritated him, prompting a verbal response. That was all it took.

“He padded up to a straight delivery and I immediately appealed to the umpire. Then I saw him complaining, asking, ‘What is this?’ That’s when I fired back, ‘What is this from you?’ Let the bowlers do their job, you focus on yours,” Rohit revealed in the viral video.

Virat Kohli's leadership lift off was visible in the exchange

Sensing the tension, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara instantly stepped in, surrounding Smith in a show of unity and aggression, an image that has since become iconic. It symbolised India’s refusal to be compromising anything on foreign soil.

In hindsight, the Adelaide Test was a cornerstone in India’s modern Test journey. Though the result did not go India’s way, it showcased Kohli leading a young side neck-to-neck against Australia in that four-match Test series. Moments like this face-off were not just flashpoints, they were statements.

And now, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s revelation, fans finally know what truly sparked one of Test cricket’s most memorable face-offs.