Former Australia skipper Steve Smith has opened up about the controversy Virat Kohli was not given on Day 1 of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Steve Smith expressed his confidence that he caught the ball cleanly despite the third umpire ruling Virat Kohli not out after a review.
Team India skipper Jasprit Bumrah opted to bat first after winning the toss at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Friday, January 3. However, the decision backfired for the visiting side as they collapsed to 17/2 in 7.4 overs. KL Rahul was dismissed for 4 runs while Yashasvi Jaiswal added 10 runs.
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Virat Kohli was given a reprieve after not being dismissed following a catch call. The right-handed batsman edged the first ball in the slips off the bowling of Scott Boland. Steve Smith, sitting at second slip, took a low catch attempt. The Australian player kicked the ball into the air after catching it.
Marnus Labuschagne completed the catch at gully. The Australians celebrated but Kohli stood firm and the decision went to the third umpire. Joel Wilson ruled out the catch, saying the ball made contact with the ground before Smith threw it up. Smith was left frustrated by the decision.
“That ball (is) just touching the ground,” Wilson said before telling the on-field umpires of his decision not to rule out.
“Australian fans will feel robbed, Indian fans, desperate relief,” former England bowler Guha said on Fox Cricket commentary at the time of the dismissal.
100 percent; No Denial – Steve Smith
“100%. No denying it.”
Steve Smith looks at whether he got his hand under the ball in the biggest moment of the morning. #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/bqIy8iGIRm
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025
Speaking to Fox Cricket's Isa Guha during the lunch break on Day 1, Steve Smith defended his catch with Virat Kohli. However, the 35-year-old refused to comment on the third umpire's decision as Australia pushed on.
“100 percent; no denying it, 100%. But the umpire made the decision and we'll move on,” Smith said (via cricket.com.au on X).
Shubman Gill tried to bide his time there – Steve Smith
Steve Smith revealed that Shubman Gill's words before the dismissal could have played into Australia's hands. Smith recalled that Gill mentioned that he would take his time, but in the end he tried a risky run and was dismissed. The hub mic captured their brief exchange before the port.
“Shubman was trying to bide his time there, probably played into our hands,” Smith said.
“He actually said something like, 'I'm taking my time' or something, and I said, 'Yeah, I don't know,' but he decided to run last and I think he tried to. pitch it (the ball) to make it happen,” he added.
Virat Kohli made it through to lunch but India were struggling at 57/3. Scott Boland dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mitchell Starc took the wicket of KL Rahul. Nathan Lyon bowled the last ball before lunch, removing Shubman Gill.
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