Watch: Steve Smith endures painful blow on the box, still compliments Akash Deep’s cracking delivery

Australia's vice-captain Steve Smith is known for his character on the field. During the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India in Melbourne, Smith hailed a special delivery from the fast bowler Akash Deep that hit him on the box.

It happened in the latter stages of the day during the 83rd over of Australia's innings on Day 1. The last ball of the over was a short of a length delivery angling into the stumps. The ball straightened after pitching and bounced past Smith's outside edge as he played inside the line.

It struck him right in the groin area and Steve Smith exulted in pain. Despite being hit in the box, Smith hailed Akash Deep which was caught on the stump mic. "That's a nice ball" said Smith after getting hit in the groin area.

Watch: Ravindra Jadeja turns left-handed Jasprit Bumrah during MCG Test

Steve Smith hails Akash Deep's special ball after being hit in the box

Special comments from Steve Smith after being hit in a certain area 🫣#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RcNRVKHrFH

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024

It was not the first time when a batter was hit on the box in the day. Marnus Labuschagne was also hit in that area earlier in the day. Overall, it was a good pitch which had something for both batters and bowlers.

Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep got good bounce and troubled the batters in certain spells. Not only the fast bowlers, but the pitch had some help for the spinners as well. India's Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar found some turn when they flighted the ball.

Akash Deep bowled well without luck

Meanwhile, Akash Deep toiled hard throughout the day without much luck. The fast bowler bowled tightly throughout the day and showed why he is made for Test cricket. He picked up 1-59 in 19 overs on the first day and will be aiming to add more wickets to his tally on Day 2.

Akash kept bowling consistently and kept the pressure on the Australian batters with his tight lines and lengths. He was finally rewarded with the wicket of Alex Carey later in the day. Carey was dismissed by Akash Deep off the first delivery of the second new ball which took the batter's outside edge through to Rishabh Pant.

Steve Smith shines with the bat

Steve Smith, on the other hand, was brilliant throughout the day and scored an excellent 68 off 111 balls. Smith remained unbeaten till the end and is carrying Australia's hopes of moving towards a big score.

Despite getting beaten on some occasions, the experienced Australian batter ensured to grind it out and take his team to a good position. Apart from him, Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne are the only other batters to score half-centuries on the first day.

All of Australia's top four batters struck fifties but there was no contribution from the lower middle order apart from a brief counter-attacking knock from the wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, who scored 31 off 41 balls.