Virat Kohli and Steve Smith seen exchanging words after the latter’s controversial catch

The third umpire initiated the Sydney Test between Australia and India with a controversial decision. However, this time, it was Virat Kohli, who survived the golden duck scare after Steve Smith’s controversial catch in the slip cordon.

Moving into the details of the incident, Virat Kohli entered the proceedings after India lost two early wickets for just 17 runs. Kohli nicked the very first ball to Steve Smith at the second slip, who scooped the ball to Marnus Labuschagne at the gully.

As soon as Labuschagne caught the ball, Australian fielders were jubilant in celebration. However, the third umpire quickly checked multiple replays of the catch before giving his final decision.

As the third umpire watched a lot of replays, it was quite evident that as Smith fell towards his right to take the catch, the ball touched the ground before he scooped it towards the man at the gully.

After the third umpire came up with a ‘not-out’ decision, Steve Smith can be seen exchanging some words with Virat Kohli, who had a wry smile towards the Aussie.

Watch the full incident here 

https://x.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1874992007812432286 

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian skipper, on-air stated that the catch was clear as Smith had his fingers underneath the ball.

"As far as I was concerned, if (the ball) had come out of (Smith's) hand, he wouldn't have been able to scoop it up. That's what I'm saying, I think his fingers are clearly underneath the ball ... look where his pointer figure is there, it's still underneath the ball,” Ponting said on-air with 7Cricket.

Initially, on a green pitch with overcast conditions, Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and elected to bat first. Rohit Sharma decided to rest himself after his torrid show throughout the series with Shubman Gill replacing him in the XI.

In conclusion, the Sydney Test between Australia and India began with a controversial decision involving Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. Kohli survived a golden duck scare after the third umpire ruled Smith's catch as not out. The incident led to an exchange of words between Kohli and Smith, with Kohli smiling wryly. Ricky Ponting defended Smith's catch, stating that his fingers were underneath the ball. Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and elected to bat first, with Shubman Gill replacing Rohit Sharma in the XI.

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