Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli’s strapped right shoulder during a practice session ahead of the last and decisive test match against Australia at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, March 23. (Manvender Vashist/PTI)

Former BCCI President Anurag Thakur lashed out at Cricket Australia officials, March 23, for targeting Virat Kohli over the DRS controversy in the ongoing Test series, terming their conduct “disgraceful” and “arrogant.” Meanwhile, former Australian skipper has showered praises for Virat Kohli as a captain. – @Siliconeer #Siliconeer #India #Australia #Cricket #ViratKohli #AnuragThakur #BCCI #CricketAus @ViratKohli @BCCI @SteveWaugh @RickyPonting @CricketAustralia #SteveSmith @imVKohli #TeamIndia

Thakur, who was removed from the post of BCCI President early this year by the Supreme Court in the wake of the Lodha Committee recommendations, said that Cricket Australia has always tried to dictate terms to India.

“DISGRACEFUL behavior by Australian media & @CricketAus officials in the way they are talking abt a legend of the game @viratkohli,” Thakur wrote in a series of tweets.

“Its the fault of @BCCI & complete arrogance of @CricketAus who’ve alwys tried to dictate terms in cricket and target players,” he added.

Taking a dig at Kohli, CA Chief Executive James Sutherland had said that he was not sure if the Indian captain knows how to spell the “sorry” word.

“Look I am not sure he knows how to spell the word,” said Sutherland on a chat with an Australian radio station.

Sutherland had called truce with the BCCI following the DRS controversy after Australia captain Steve Smith sought dressing room help to decide whether to take a review or not during the second Test in Bengaluru.

But Thakur felt those currently at the helm of BCCI affairs did not fully stand by the Indian team.

“What sort of ‘truce’ ws this? @BCCI compromised the integrity of their #TeamIndia Capt @imVkohli & didn’t stand by their players & team,” he said.

India’s skipper Virat Kohli with coach Anil Kumble (l) during a practice session at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, March 23, ahead of the final test match against Australia. (Manvender Vashist/PTI)

Kohli has Elements of Ricky & Myself in his Captaincy: Waugh

Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh hailed Virat Kohli’s leadership, March 23, saying he sees elements of himself and his successor Ricky Ponting in the Indian’s leadership.

“There’s probably elements of Ricky and myself in his captaincy, but having said that he’s his own man,” Waugh said.

The legendary cricketer applauded Kohli, who has been at the receiving end of constant verbal attacks from the visiting Australian team and media in the ongoing four-Test series, for his ability to make his side play as a unit.

“He’s obviously a very aggressive captain, he encourages a lot of talk amongst his troops and he’s got positive body language. And they’re all the traits that I liked in my sides,” Waugh was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“I always believed the way you carry yourself is important, that you give off positive vibes to each other and the opposition sort of sense that ‘this is a team that’s really together.’ Virat Kohli certainly does that. His players play for him, which is a great sign for a captain.

“Ricky Ponting was a similar type of player; he’d roll his sleeves up, get stuck in, he’d go into bat pad if he needed to and led by example. And Virat Kohli certainly does that,” he added.

Though he is only in the early stages of captaincy, Kohli has already enjoying an impressive record and Waugh labeled his combative style as “the new face of India.”

“He’s the new face of India, he can get in your face, he’s aggressive, he’s positive, and he leads in a certain way so the other guys know how he wants the team to play.

“(But also) I’m glad he’s got a bit of me in his captaincy,” said Waugh.