Steve Smith breaks his silence as Virat Kohli runs away from a golden duck after Sydney Test drama

Former Australian captain Steve Smith opened up about the catching controversy that saw Virat Kohli not dismissed on the first day of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Steve Smith expressed his belief that he caught the ball cleanly despite the third umpire ruling Virat Kohli out after a review.

Team India skipper Jasprit Bumrah elected 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 team as they slumped to 17/2 in 7.4 overs. KL Rahul was dismissed for 4 runs while Yashasvi Jaiswal added 10 runs.

Watch: Virat Kohli given reprieve after catch appeal from Australia

Virat Kohli was given a reprieve after being dismissed following a catch appeal. The right-handed batsman bowled the first ball at slip off the bowling of Scott Boland. Steve Smith, standing at second slip, attempted a low catch. The Australian fielder raised the ball in the air after catching it.

Marnus Labuschagne completed the catch at the watershed. The Australians celebrated, but Kohli remained adamant and the decision was given by the third umpire. Joel Wilson ruled the catch not out, saying the ball made contact with the ground before Smith lofted it. Smith was left frustrated by the decision.

“That ball (did) just touch the ground,” Wilson said before telling the umpires on the field of his decision to stay 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.

Speaking on Is Guha’s Fox Cricket during the lunch break on the first day, Steve Smith backed his catch involving Virat Kohli. However, the 35-year-old refused to comment on the third umpire’s decision as Australia moved on.

“100 percent; there is no denying it, 100 percent. But the umpire has made a decision and we’re moving on,” said Smith (via cricket.com.au at X).

Shubman Gill was trying to bide his time there – Steve Smith

Steve Smith has revealed Shubman Gill’s words before his sacking may have played into Australia’s hands. Smith recalled that Gill mentioned he would take his time, but he ended up trying a risky run and was dismissed. A microphone caught their brief exchange before the door.

“Shubman was trying to take time out there, (that) probably worked in our favor,” Smith said.

“He actually said something to me, ‘I’m going to take my time’ or something, and I said, ‘Yeah, I don’t know,’ but he decided to run on the last one and I think he was trying to launch it (the ball) so that it would happen ,” he added.

Virat Kohli made it to lunch but India struggled 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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