Virat Kohli's incredible gesture for Steve Smith stuns cricket world

Virat Kohli has displayed some incredible sportsmanship at the World Cup, gesturing towards a section of Indian fans to stop booing Steve Smith.

As India and Australia locked horns at The Oval on Sunday, Smith was sent to the boundary where some Indian fans started booing and chanted "cheater, cheater".

Kohli, who was batting at that time, took notice of it and was clearly not happy.

Showing his classy side, the Indian skipper turned towards the stands and gestured at the fans to cheer for Smith instead of booing.

The Indian skipper's act was appreciated by Smith, who came up to him, shook his hand and patted him on the back during the drinks break.

"What happened, happened long back. He's back, trying to play well for his side,” Kohli told reporters after the match.

“It is not good to see someone down like that...You don't want to see a guy feeling heat every time he goes out to play.

"I just felt for him and I told him sorry on behalf of the crowd because I have seen that happen in a few earlier games as well. In my opinion, that's not acceptable.

"There are many Indian fans here, I didn't want them to set a bad example because he didn't do anything to be booed.

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

Ever since Smith and Warner touched down in England, the duo have received a hostile reception.

Smith was booed by the crowd when he smashed a century during a warm-up match against England, and against the West Indies it was also the same story.

Aussies handed wake-up call

Shikhar Dhawan hit a blazing century as India beat Australia by 36 runs to condemn the reigning champions to their first defeat of this year's World Cup.

Dhawan's 117 and his 127-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma laid the foundation for India's 352 for five after Kohli won the toss on a sunny London morning.

Kohli himself hit a brisk 82 and combined well with Hardik Pandya in an 81-run third-wicket partnership that saw the pair pummel Australia's attack.

India then dismissed Australia for 316 in 50 overs to record their second straight victory of this World Cup after an opening win over South Africa.

Half-centuries by Warner and Smith were not enough for the five-time champions, whose record in the round-robin group stage now stands at two wins from three.

with AAP