There is never a dull moment on the cricket field when Steve Smith bats. The Australia batting superstar just knows how to keep everyone engaged with his batting as well as the gestures he makes while batting.
And it was very much on display in the very first session of the ongoing first Test between India and Australia in Nagpur. Steve Smith had to come out to bat in the very third over after Australia lost both of their openers cheaply.
Mohammed Siraj gave India the first breakthrough when he dismissed Usman Khawaja on the first ball of the second over. Khawaja was trapped in front of the stumps and had to depart for just 1.
His opening partner David Warner did not last long either as he too departed for just 1 to leave Australia reeling at 2-2. On the first ball of the third over, Mohammed Shami came from round the stumps and beat Warner’s outside edge to bowl him.
Steve Smith’s hilarious reaction:
Khawaja and Warner’s departure brought Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith together and the duo worked really hard to stop the rot. They made sure that Australia do not lose any more wicket before lunch. At the time of lunch, Australia were on 59 for 2.
Before lunch, a hilarious incident took place when Steve Smith decided to congratulate Ravindra Jadeja for a fine delivery. The incident happened on the final ball of the 21st over when Jadeja beat Steve Smith’s outside edge with a stunning delivery.
The ball drew the right-handed batsman forward before going past his outside edge. KS Bharat took off the bails in a flash but Smith was well inside the crease. In the meantime, as soon as the ball went past his bat, Smith decided to congratulate Jadeja with a thumbs up.
Ravindra Jadeja beats Steve Smith’s outside edge, and the Australian responds by giving the spinner a congratulatory thumbs up.
#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/zichSAzFih
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) February 9, 2023
Meanwhile, Jadeja has managed to break the partnership between Smith and Labuschagne by getting the latter stumped out after lunch. Labuschagne departed for 49. On the very next ball, Jadeja struck again to remove Matt Renshaw. At the time of compiling this report, Australia were on 84 for 4.