Ishant Sharma’s bizarre reaction to Steve Smith in the midst of Test battle in 2017 remains a fan favourite moment, and he has now revealed the advice from Virat Kohli that led to moment of pure comedy.

It was during the Bengaluru Test in Australia’s four-match series that Ishant resorted to upset Smith’s rhythm by contorting his face in all sorts of ways. There was widespread bemusement all around, with Smith himself staring back at Ishant with an unsure grin.

Ishant has revealed those facial expressions, a go-to meme now, was prompted by Kohli giving him the freedom to do anything to get a wicket. “He is an aggressive captain, he loves it when you show aggression and he doesn’t tell you anything for that.

Don’t need a reason to throwback to this 😆

📹 @Bollyprashwoodpic.twitter.com/TiVuoMMeFt

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) May 18, 2020

“He always says just get me the wicket and do whatever you want. He just tells me not to get banned. So, when I was banned in Sri Lanka [in 2015] he came again, and said do everything you want but just don’t get banned.”

Revisiting the Smith exchange, Ishant said his spontaneous comical outburst was down to his desperation to get the Australian’s wicket. “We had lost the Pune Test, and the series was on the line,” he said. “The wicket in Bengaluru had its ups-and-downs. You try your best to upset the batsman.

“He was playing, and doing all sorts of things. I tried my best to upset him. I knew if I could get his wicket, we can win the match. So, I was trying to get him out of his comfort zone. I knew if he became comfortable, he could win the match.”