BGT 2024-25: Steve Smith opens up on Virat Kohli's dramatic first-ball duck survival!
Xtra Time Web Desk: Australia star Steven Smith was 100 percent confident that he successfully got his hand under the ball while attempting to catch Virat Kohli at slip on the first day of the SCG Test but third umpire denied it.
Virat Kohli walked out to bat at when India was struggling at 17/2, Kohli edged the very first delivery from Scott Boland towards Smith at second slip. Smith dived low to his right. Eventually it is Marnus Labuschagne who caught the ball.
When referred to the review, third umpire Joel Wilson determined that the ball in Smith's hand had connected with the ground during the catching process, thereby failing to meet the conditions of a fair catch as per MCC Law 33. The limitations of various replay angles once more took a part in introducing a controversy.
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"100%. No denying it whatsoever, 100%," Smith told Fox Sports during the lunch break when asked if he caught the ball or not. "But the umpire has made the decision. We'll move on." Speaking on Channel 7, former ICC umpire Simon Taufel commented that "he could certainly understand what the third umpire's done there."
"I think you described it very well when you said that depending upon which side of the fence you sit on, you could probably build a case for either decision to be given," Taufel said.
"Listening to Joel Wilson's language, where he said the fingers were underneath the ball and then he saw it roll onto the ground, by his own language, he is telling us he believes the ball touched the ground."
"There are two key things the TV umpire looks for. One is whether the fingers are underneath the ball, and he was satisfied on that point. However, he also believes the replay shows the ball on the ground. Here's the challenge: slowing it down with slow-motion. At real speed, it looks fine. But I can certainly understand what the third umpire's done. He believes he's seen the ball on the ground and has called it as he sees it."
"Normally, ICC protocol for fair catches is to check if the fingers are under the ball. That’s sufficient to confirm a fair catch. But the issue here is that on-field umpires no longer provide a soft signal; the decision now lies solely with the television umpire."
This is the 6th time Kohli got out by edging the ball outside off stump. India' s number 4 has always been one of greatest ever to play this sport but repeatedly attempting same mistakes is not something fans habituated to see.
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Kohli'performance in this series as follows: 5, 100*, 7, 11, 3, 36, 5 and now 17. The numbers do not match according to the standard set by him. The only time Kohli didn't edge the ball was in Perth when he remained not out smashing a fantastic century in the second innings.
While walking back to dressing room, Kohli was booed by the SCG crowd on Friday, January 3. Earlier also, the crowd didn't hesitate to taunt him. Kohli and Australian crowd have an complex relationship as found in multiple occasions and it took a new height since bumping with Sam Konstas in the first innings of the Melbourne Test match. Kohli had rammed into the young Australia batter at the MCG when the youngster took on Jasprit Bumrah in the Boxing Day Test match.
Right now, India is 171/9 with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj on the crease. India will try to add some runs more whereas Australia is trying to wrap Indian innings fast.
