The opening day of the fifth Test between India and Australia saw a battle between former Australian captain Steve Smith and Indian star opener Shubman Gill. Gill made an attempt to agitate Smith, which massively backfired on him and led to his dismissal.
India had won the toss and decided to bat first at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The team saw two changes in their playing XI, as they brought Shubman Gill in place of Rohit Sharma and Prasidh Krishna in place of an injured Akash Deep.
When it was time before the lunch, Nathan Lyon was given the responsibility to bowl. Gill decided to play aggressively since he had decided to play till lunch. He attempted to step down the wicket, but edged the delivery towards Steve Smith at the first slip. Smith celebrated and had an exchange of words with Gill.
Replays with audio from the stump mic show a small conversation between Smith and Gill that got recorded on just before the latter got dismissed. Gill was taking some time, which caused Smith to say, “Oi, let’s play.” Gill was quick to respond, but was then dismissed on the very next ball.
Marnus Labuschagne: Easy, got it in easy!
Steve Smith: This is bull****! Oi, let’s play!
Shubman Gill: You take your time Smithy, no one says anything to you!
Steve Smith: Just play mate, let’s play.
Marnus Labuschagne: Take your time son.
This is the greatest cricketing video of all time pic.twitter.com/CpTaQpkBh4
— mitch marsh hatebot. (@Lexbeforewicket) January 3, 2025
Smith later opened on the incident with Gill when speaking with Fox Cricket’s Isa Guha when it was lunch break, stating that the Indian batter’s attempt to take his time might have actually benefited Australia.
“Shubman was trying to take his time there (and) it probably played into our hands. He decided to run at the last one, and I think he was trying to launch him (Lyon),” Smith said.
Gill had notable missed the series opener in Perth due to a thumb injury, and was later dropped from India’s playing XI in the MCG Test, which then gave out a result of India losing the match by 184 runs.
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