India deny pulling up SuperSport

The Indian team management has denied a report that they had pulled up the host broadcaster during the Centurion ODI for showing a clip of Virat Kohli getting injured during the first ODI with a caption that said, "Kohli - softened up". A report in Wisden India on Thursday said, "SuperSport's director was summoned to the Indian changing room during the innings interval and an explanation [was] demanded. His argument for 'editorial relevance' was countered with angry accusations of 'inappropriate behaviour', disrespect, and a suggestion that he 'sticks to the cricket' in future."

An Indian team official said he was not aware of what had happened. An official communication 10 minutes later said, "Once rain stopped play we did meet the producer of SuperSport but it was for discussing something else and not about the clip shown of Virat."

A SuperSport representative confirmed that "discussions" had taken place without going into details. A spokesperson said, "SuperSport is aware that discussions took place between a member of its production staff and members of the Indian touring party at SuperSport Park on 11 December. SuperSport will continue to produce the matches during the current tour to world-class specifications and with regard to editorial context."

During the Wanderers ODI, Kohli was hit in the rib area by a Morne Morkel short ball. While he did not flinch or show pain on the field, he later applied an ice pack on the bruise. The clip being referred to in this incident showed the whole sequence: first his getting hit, then him with an ice pack, and then practising a pull. One of the TV commentators said the clip was shown on the request of the commentary team on air at the time because they were discussing facing fast bowling and coming back from getting hit.

Members of the SuperSport commentary team said they had not been informed of any developments and were not given any instructions.