VVS Laxman Under Fire For Phillip Hughes Comments

(Image: Getty)

Indian great VVS Laxman has come under fire for making a reference to the late Phillip Hughes in a rant directed at Australian captain Steve Smith.

Laxman, who was commentating for Star Sports, was having a go at Smith after an image surfaced that suggested he was mocking Indian captain Virat Kohli's shoulder injury.

The accusation was later revealed to be misguided, with a full image revealing Smith was simply being held by teammate Peter Handscomb.

Laxman still took aim at Smith, as well as Glenn Maxwell, who did grab his shoulder and mock Kohli before his dismissal.

“Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith, what example is he setting to his team?" he said on commentary.

“That’s very disappointing. You can sledge...but not mocking someone who is injured, in pain.

"I’ve never experienced that because when you are injured, you always care for the opposition player as well.

"Especially after what happened to Phil Hughes, everyone is concerned when someone gets injured.

"Whether he gets hit on the helmet or is injured, there is a concern."

He has come under fire for the comments, suggesting it was completely unnecessary to make a reference to Hughes.

"You play the game a hard way but the spirit of the game should be there," he said.

"This is defying the spirit of the game."

Laxman played 134 Tests for India between 1996 and 2012, scoring 8781 runs.