India v Australia: Tensions reach breaking point in second Test as umpires struggle to control players

TENSIONS reached breaking point in Bangalore on Tuesday, with several players now facing potential disciplinary action out of a bitter second Test.

TENSIONS reached breaking point in Bangalore on Tuesday, with several players now facing potential disciplinary action out of a bitter second Test.

Opposing captains Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are the two men most firmly under the microscope after an explosive day four got completely out of hand.

Match officials must now make a decision on whether they want to give a green light to engaging aggression or make a statement that they demand a more civil game.

SECOND TEST: Follow all the action in our blog

Umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth came down hard on Indian captain Kohli and his team for constant sledging on Tuesday, but they may have been guilty of not nipping the issue in the bud when the Indian captain first led an all-out assault on Smith on day two.

Indian captain Virat Kohli gives Austalian captain a send-off after Smith got out on Tuesday.

Smith could be in hot water for a separate incident on Tuesday where umpire Llong appeared furious that the captain or batting partner Peter Handscomb had glanced to the Australian dressing room in the midst of deciding whether or not to go to DRS.

Fiery send-offs administered by Mitchell Starc and Steve O’Keefe could also come under the microscope, although many fans would argue the drama contributed to one of the most memorable Tests in recent memory.

Australia has not been involved in a more spiteful contest since tempers got out of control in Cape Town, 2014.

So often labelled the ugly Australians, and sometimes rightly so, on this occasion was India who was responsible for instigating the bad blood.

India, on the other hand, have often been quick to claim a victim’s mentality, but in this instance they barely have a leg to stand on.

Australian bowler Mitchell Starc celebrates the dismissal of Indian batsman Karun Nair.

The over-the-top reactions of Starc and O’Keefe could result in fines, but it will be interesting to see whether the umpires make their determinations with context in mind.

Cameras and the stump microphone captured Starc clearly telling Indian batsman Karum Nair to “F*** off”, while O’Keefe was spoken to at length by umpires for an aggressive exchange with Cheteshwar Pujara following a wicket.

Kohli was barely questioned by umpires on day two, but yesterday he was given an animated bake by Llong who had clearly grown tired of the Indian skipper’s tactics.

Australian greats Ian Healy and Mark Waugh have both questioned Kohli’s tactics and his lack of respect for umpires and the opposition.