Steve Smith breaks silence as Virat Kohli escapes golden duck after umpiring drama in Sydney Test

Former Australia skipper Steve Smith has opened up on the catching controversy, with Virat Kohli given not out on Day 1 of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Steve Smith expressed confidence that he caught the ball cleanly despite the third umpire ruling Virat Kohli not out after a review.

Team India skipper Jasprit Bumrah opted 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 collapsed 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 Following Catch Appeal From Australia

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Virat Kohli received a reprieve after being given not out following an appeal for a catch. The right-handed batter edged the first ball to the slips off Scott Boland's bowling. Steve Smith, standing at second slip, made a low catch attempt. The Australian fielder scooped the ball into the air after grabbing it.

Marnus Labuschagne completed the catch at gully. The Australians celebrated, but Kohli remained unmoved, and the decision went to the third umpire. Joel Wilson ruled the catch not out, stating that the ball had made contact with the ground before Smith flicked it up. Smith was left frustrated by the decision.

“That ball (is) just touching the ground,” Wilson said before telling the on-field umpires of his decision of not out.

“The Australian fans will feel like they’ve been robbed, the Indian fans, desperate relief,” former England bowler Guha said on Fox Cricket commentary at the time of the dismissal.

Speaking at Fox Cricket’s Isa Guha during the lunch break on Day 1, 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 per cent; no denying it whatsoever, 100 per cent. But the umpire’s made the decision and we’ll move on,” Smith stated (via cricket.com.au on X).

Shubman Gill Was Trying to Take His Time There - Steve Smith

Steve Smith revealed that Shubman Gill's words before his dismissal may have played into Australia's hands. Smith recalled that Gill mentioned he would take his time, but he eventually attempted a risky run and was dismissed. The stump mic caught their brief exchange before the wicket.

“Shubman was trying to take his time there, (it) probably played into our hands,” Smith said.

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

Virat Kohli managed to bat through to lunch, but India was struggling at 57/3. Scott Boland dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mitchell Starc took the wicket of KL Rahul. Nathan Lyon struck on the last ball before lunch, removing Shubman Gill.

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