Australia's Smith says India series played in 'good spirit'

Australia's Steve Smith on Monday said the India tests were "great fun" after the matches witnessed camaraderie between players of both teams, a departure from the fiery run-ins on previous tours.

The tourists went down to India 2-1 in the four-match series after the final test ended in a high-scoring draw on day five in Ahmedabad.

Despite the opening two losses, the Australian players were seen chatting and joking between overs, and Indian superstar Virat Kohli signed shirts for visiting players including Usman Khawaja during the final presentation.

"I thought the game was played in really good spirit," Smith, who led the team in two tests in the absence of Pat Cummins, said after being asked about the fiery series played in 2017.

"It was very relaxed, we were letting cricket do the talking, just a really good series to be a part of, everyone was enjoying themselves out on the field."

He added: "The first three games were pretty quick ones (finished inside three days) but it was a great series to be a part of and great fun."

India-Australia contests have often witnessed heated exchanges between players and the previous Australia visit to India in 2017 was ill-tempered.

Kohli accused Smith – both captains of their teams – of cheating after he looked up to to his dressing room during umpire referrals from the field, which is not allowed according to cricket rules.

Perhaps the most controversial and spiteful test between the two nations, the 2008 Sydney encounter, was dubbed the "Monkeygate" affair, marred by umpiring errors and accusations of racism.

India's Harbhajan Singh was charged with racial abuse and banned for three tests for allegedly calling Andrew Symonds – who has West Indian ancestry – a "monkey" during the third day's play.

According to some experts, strict ICC codes of player conduct and intermingling of players in Twenty20 leagues like the IPL have made cricketers tone down their temper and even become friends.