India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant took an impressive catch to dismiss Australian batter Steve Smith on Day 4 of the ongoing first Test match in Perth. Rishabh Pant showed brilliant reflexes to complete the catch as Steve Smith registered another failure with the bat in the BGT 2024-25 series opener.
Australia lost the early wicket of Usman Khawaja (4) on the fourth day of the match at the Optus Stadium on Monday, November 25. Steve Smith and Travis Head added a decent partnership in the final innings. However, Mohammed Siraj picked up his second wicket of the day by removing Smith.
Watch: Rishabh Pant Takes A Stunning Catch To Get Rid Of Steve Smith
The incident took place on the fourth ball of the 25th over in Australia’s second innings. Mohammed Siraj bowled a delivery around the off-stump channel that straightened slightly after pitching.
Steve Smith edged it, and Rishabh Pant completed a stunning catch. The Indian wicketkeeper dove full stretch to his right to complete the dismissal. Smith, who was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings, had to return to the dressing room after scoring just 17 runs off 60 balls in the second.
DSP Sahab #MohammadSiraj is on a hunt 🫡, and Australia is feeling the pressure!
📺 #AUSvINDOnStar 👉 1st Test, Day 4, LIVE NOW! #AUSvIND #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/M76h20xi4l
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 25, 2024
Mitchell Marsh Joins Travis Head After Steve Smith Dismissal
Australia ended the first session with a score of 104 runs for the loss of five wickets. Left-handed batter Travis Head remains unbeaten at the crease with 63 runs off 72 balls, including 7 fours. Mitchell Marsh joined Head after the dismissal of Steve Smith. Marsh scored 5 runs off 23 balls before the break.
The home team needs 430 more runs to win the Test match, which looks impossible. On the other hand, the Jasprit Bumrah-led team will be hoping to finish the match in the next two sessions to secure victory. It will be interesting to see the two teams’ approaches after the lunch break on the fourth day.
If Steve Smith Played A Virat Kohli-like Role… – Matthew Hayden
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden hoped for Australia to bat through three sessions on Day 4. Hayden said that the game might go to Day 5 if Steve Smith played a Virat Kohli-like role for the team on the fourth day.
“I am hoping Australia will last long for three sessions. But if Steve Smith played a Virat Kohli-like role for the team, the game would go to the fifth day. I want at least three Tests to go to five days in this series.
“It is a long series, and the dominance will swing from one team to another. Australia will have their days while India will also dominate in some days,” Matthew Hayden said.
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