INDIAN star Virat Kohli has explained what was behind his fiery send-off of Steve Smith earlier this week - and it had nothing to do with the Aussie wearing a microphone.

Kohli has created plenty of headlines since arriving in Australia less than a month ago but perhaps none more so than when he shared some choice words with Smith after taking a catch to dismiss him during the first Twenty20 International at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.

The wicket came just moments after Smith had been talking to Channel Nine’s commentators, and some interpreted Kohli’s actions as a disapproval of the multi-tasking job Smith was doing.

But during the innings break of Friday night’s T20 clash at the MCG, Kohli explained it had nothing to do with being mic’d up - but still everything to do with what Smith said in the middle of Adelaide Oval.

“I had no idea he had the mic on,” Kohli told Channel Nine.

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“He was sort of having a go at our junior bowlers - after hitting a boundary he was having a go at them - so I told the umpires to keep an eye out otherwise I would have to step in.

“They did nothing and in the end I told him that he could go talk in the change room.

“It had nothing to do with the commentary.”

Kohli’s comments came after Smith dished up his own riposte on the red carpet at the Allan Border Medal on Wednesday night.

Asked about Kohli’s behaviour, Australia’s Test and one-day skipper was less than complimentary.

“He gets pretty emotional out there, doesn’t he?” Smith told Fox Sports News 500.

“I don’t think you need to do that kind of thing when someone gets out.

“It’s fine to have a little bit of banter when you’re out in the field, but when someone’s out I don’t really think that’s on.”

The running battle between Kohli and the Australians at least had a temporary truce earlier on Friday night, during Kohli’s classy knock of 59 off 33 balls.

Attempting a second run, the Indian No.3 slipped over at the non-striker’s end, right next to where his nemesis from earlier in the series, James Faulkner was standing.

The Australian all-rounder leant down and lifted Kohli off the turf, earning a pat on the back for his troubles.