Australian star cricketer Steve Smith lost his wicket, while commentating during a game against India, through the on-field microphones. That caused a stir, blaming the usage of such microphones in Twenty20 matches.  

Smith was answering questions from broadcaster Channel Nine's commentators, while he was in the middle with Aaron Finch as Australia attempted to chase down India's 188 runs, during Tuesday's match at Adelaide Oval.

Just after a few minutes of speaking, Smith chipped Ravindra Jadeja and was caught at mid-off by Virat Kohli for 21.

After Australia lost the match, the team fans slammed Channel Nine on the social networking site, blaming it for distracting Smith, while others said Kohli's gesture was a criticism of live chat, during the match.

Criticizing the channel’s wrong time interview, one of the Twitter user wrote, “Whilst we try to bring the viewer into the contest. We can't forget it is a contest. Smith wasn't comfortable and Kohli knew it.”

Another tweeted, “Kohli's message to Steve Smith was pretty clear there. This is a cricket game not a television interview. Thanks, Channel 9.”

Reacting to the controversy, Batsman David Warner said, “I've been doing it all the time and I feel no added pressure. It's great that I can actually give people at home an indication of what we're trying to achieve while we're out there in different situations. It's about entertainment.”

Being a quick-fire, high-octane format, T20 was designed to draw crowds to tournaments amid fears that spectators were tiring of longer formats such as five-day Tests.

Even the popular Sports writer Robert Craddock reacted to the incident, writing, “Did it cost Australia the game? Possibly. If it happened in a Test match I would be punching a hole in my keyboard protesting at the farce of it all. But it was T20 international and like the rest of the world, I am still trying to work out what these games actually mean.”

By Phani Ch