Virat Kohli has apologised to Steve Smith for the booing and abuse he copped from Indian fans and told supporters to cheer him in Australia's 36-run World Cup loss.

Key points: Indian skipper Virat Kohli has urged his own fans to clap, not boo Australia's Steve Smith at the Cricket World Cup

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has urged his own fans to clap, not boo Australia's Steve Smith at the Cricket World Cup Kohli and Smith have not always been the best of friends on the pitch with a number of fiery clashes

Kohli and Smith have not always been the best of friends on the pitch with a number of fiery clashes But the Indian captain said he didn't feel the fans' treatment of Smith was acceptable in Australia's 36-run loss

Smith and Warner have been met with jeers at all three of Australia's games since returning to the side from the ban stemming from the ball-tampering dramas last year.

Australia's former captain met the same response when he briefly fielded on the boundary during Kohli's innings on Sunday, mellowing only slightly when he waved happily at a small section.

However, Kohli stepped in at the next break in play, pointing to the crowd and his Indian crest and encouraging them to be more positive.

"What's happened has happened like long back. The guy is back, he's trying to play well for his side," Kohli said.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli, right, was still keen to see the back of Steve Smith as a batsman at The Oval after coming to his defence earlier. ( AP: Aijaz Rahi )

"Even in the IPL I saw him. It's not good to see someone down like that, to be honest.

"I just felt for him, and I told him, 'I'm sorry on behalf of the crowd.'

"Because I've seen that happen in a few earlier games, as well, and in my opinion that's not acceptable."

Kohli is the first player to make such a statement to a crowd since the return of Smith and Warner.

It comes despite he, Smith and the Australian side having at times had a fractured relationship on the field.

Most notably, the India captain all but accused Smith of cheating in 2017 when he looked to the dressing room before deciding whether to review an lbw decision against India.

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"We've had issues in the past. We've had a few arguments on the field. But you don't want to see a guy feeling that heat every time he goes out to play," Kohli said.

"So just because there's so many Indian fans here, I just didn't want them to set a bad example, to be honest.

"I felt bad because if I was in a position where something had happened with me and I had apologised, I accepted it and I came back and still I would get booed, I wouldn't like it, either."

Australia's all-rounder Glenn Maxwell said it indicated the two teams were quite close, away from the on-field aggression.

"I'm not surprised because we do get along as individuals with him really well off the field," he said.

"All we want to do is play our cricket hard and he does that, he gets in opposition faces."

AAP