Did Virat Kohli, Ashwin cross a line in talking to stump mic?

India skipper Virat Kohli has been panned from all around for his comments directed at the stump mic during a heated period of play on the third day of the 3rd Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Kohli's reaction was "exaggerated" and "really immature", said Gautam Gambhir, adding that Kohli should get a talking to from coach Rahul Dravid. "For too long Virat has got away with behavior which is unacceptable on a cricket field," Daryll Cullinan, former South African cricketer chipped in during post-day analysis.

But was Kohli the only one at fault? The Indian players did 'break the fourth wall' in talking directly to the stump mic, but will they be pulled up for their one-sided monologues?

The incident happened in the 21st over when Ravichandran Ashwin flighted one which dipped and then straightened to beat a lunging Elgar's bat. Umpire Marais Erasmus straightaway lifted his finger but Elgar appealed for DRS. Once he saw on big screen that he was beaten, he started trudging back only to his delight to find that the ball was going over the stumps. While it looked dead plumb, the reversal of decision saw Kohli kicking the ground in disgust as all kinds of chatter started.

The players knowing that the stump microphone catches every bit of verbal stuff, the players made it a point to let everyone in South Africa know their feelings. "Whole country is against 11 players," said one while the other said, "broadcasters are here to make money boys." "I hope the stump microphone is recording it," said another.

Ashwin also could not stop himself from taking a dig at the ball-tracking technology of the broadcaster, saying, "You should find better ways to win Supersport."

Kohli added to that, "Focus on your team as well and not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time."

KL Rahul went to another extent when he said, "Whole country playing against XI guys."

Kohli had in fact sledged Elgar even before that when he made a snide remark about Elgar being intimidated by Jasprit Bumrah. 'Unbelievable. After a Man of the Match performance in the last game, running (away) from Jasprit. Chirping for 13 years, Dean and you think you are gonna keep me quiet," Kohli said from slips.

However this constant chatter did allow the focus to drift as South Africa got some quick runs after that. Continuing the constant criticism of the decision seemed like an excuse for yet another shoddy batting show with 223 and 198 being the scores. At the end of the day's play, India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey tried to douse the fire. "We saw it, you saw it. I'll leave that for the match referee to have a look at it. There's nothing I can comment on it now. We've seen it all, just want to move on with the game now."

(With PTI inputs)