The opening day of the fifth Test between India and Australia in Sydney delivered a thrilling moment involving Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, sparking intense debate among fans and players alike. Kohli narrowly avoided a first-ball duck, thanks to a controversial decision by the third umpire, much to Smith’s dismay.
The dramatic incident occurred when Scott Boland delivered a ball on a good length, outside off stump. Kohli, attempting a defensive shot, edged it towards the slip cordon. Steve Smith, stationed at second slip, dived forward in an effort to claim the catch. However, the ball deflected off Smith’s hands and was eventually caught by Marnus Labuschagne at fourth slip. The Australian team erupted in celebration, convinced they had dismissed the Indian star.
Smith confidently signaled for a review, asserting that he had taken the catch cleanly. But after a thorough examination of the replays, the third umpire concluded that the ball had grazed the ground before being deflected to Labuschagne. The decision went in Kohli’s favor, allowing him to survive the scare.
Visibly relieved, Kohli cracked a wry smile as he returned to the crease. Meanwhile, Smith remained adamant about his claim. Speaking to cricket.com.au after the session, Smith stated, “100%. No denying it whatsoever,” firmly standing by his belief that the catch was legitimate.
Despite Kohli’s lucky escape, his innings was short-lived. Boland, determined to get his man, eventually dismissed Kohli in the second session. The pacer bowled a delivery wide outside the off-stump, tempting Kohli into another push. This time, Kohli edged the ball to slip, where Beau Webster made no mistake.
India ended the session struggling at 57/3, and while Kohli’s reprieve initially appeared to bolster their hopes, his early dismissal put the team under pressure once again. The incident, however, has fueled debates about controversial umpiring decisions and added yet another layer of intrigue to an already exciting Test series.
