Virat Kohli stole the limelight with his brilliance on the field during the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). On the fourth day, Kohli's shrewd tactics were on full display as he masterfully bowled Muhammed Siraj to download Steve Smith in the second session.
ex INDIA the captain, positioned on the slip cordon, instructed Siraj to bowl from a wider angle. His words, caught on the trunk microphone, were clear: βKone se, kone se. Har top cone se! Usko pasand nahi hai kone se.β The translation? Wide crease bowl; Smith fights back against this angle.
How the plan unfolded
Siraj followed the instructions to perfection. Bowling from the width of the crease, he angled a fuller delivery towards Smith. of Australian shot, unable to resist, went for a wide drive. The ball kissed the edge of his bat and landed safely in Rishabh Pant's gloves. It was a decisive breakthrough for India.
Smith, who had been in good touch, departed after scoring 13 runs off 41 balls. Kohli's keen instincts and Siraj's precise execution had outplayed one of Australia's best.
Virat π€ Siraj
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 29, 2024
Kohli's "ππ€π£π π¨π" plan worked like magic as Siraj sent Smith back to the dugout! π€©#AUSvINDOnStar π 4th Test, Day 4 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/xNP2jCXMrM
Siraj redeems himself
Smith's dismissal was not the main point for Siraj. After a lackluster first innings where he went wicketless and conceded 122 runs in 23 overs, the pace turned decisively in the second innings.
Siraj also removed Usman Khawaja with a peach, knocking him off the stumps. Later, he trapped Marnus Labuschagne lbw, dismissing the prolific batsman for 70 balls off 139. These wickets silenced critics who had questioned Siraj's place in the playing XI.
Crowd Drama
Adding to the drama, Siraj did not contain his emotions. After dismissing Khawaja, he motioned to silence the wild Australian crowd at the MCG. Smith, in response, motioned for Siraj to calm down. But in the end, the Indian pacer had the last laugh.
Siraj's performance in the first ranks had drawn harsh criticism. Bowling 10 wides and failing to take a wicket, his effort was labeled sub par. Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar even suggested that Siraj be dropped for non-performance.
“I think Siraj, maybe, needs some rest,” Gavaskar said during a discussion on Star Sports. He further emphasized the importance of keeping up with the players on their performance.
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