The fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) witnessed high drama as a contentious decision involving Australian cricketer Steve Smith and Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli ignited fierce debate.
Steve Smith’s catch and the 3rd umpire’s verdict
Coming to bat with India struggling at 2/17, Kohli edged a length delivery from Scott Boland toward second slip. Smith dived low to his right, appearing to catch the ball just above the turf before flicking it to Marnus Labuschagne at gully, who completed what seemed like a remarkable team effort.
Despite jubilant celebrations from the Australian camp, Kohli stood his ground, prompting the on-field umpires to send the decision upstairs. After reviewing the footage, third umpire Joel Wilson ruled that the ball had made contact with the ground before being flicked upward, giving Kohli a crucial reprieve. The decision left Smith visibly frustrated, shaking his head in disbelief.
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Smith reacts to the 3rd umpire’s call
During the lunch break, Smith spoke to Fox Sports and reaffirmed his belief in the legality of the catch. “100%. No denying it whatsoever, 100%,” he said, insisting that his fingers were under the ball before it was flicked upward. However, Smith accepted the decision with composure, adding, “But the umpire has made the decision. We’ll move on.”
Here is the video:
“100%. No denying it whatsoever.”
Steve Smith weighs in on whether he got his hand underneath the ball in the biggest moment of the morning. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bqIy8iGIRm
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025
Divided opinions among cricket experts
The decision has since polarized opinions among cricket pundits and fans. Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath described the catch as a “50/50 call” but opined it looked out. Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer echoed this sentiment, with Ponting asserting, “I think his fingers are clearly underneath the ball.”
Conversely, ex-Test umpire Simon Taufel offered a nuanced perspective, explaining that under ICC guidelines, if any part of the ball touches the ground while in the fielder’s control, it is generally ruled not out. “It’s not about intent; it’s about what the replay shows,” Taufel elaborated.
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