‘100%, I got my hands underneath the ball’ – Steve Smith disagrees with third umpire’s ‘Not Out’ call to Virat Kohli’s catch

‘100%, I got my hands underneath the ball’ – Steve Smith disagrees with third umpire’s Not Out call to Virat Kohli’s catch. (Photo Source: Disney+Hotstar and Fox Cricket)

The first day of the fifth Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground became a talking point after a controversial incident involving Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. Kohli, facing his first ball of the innings, survived a controversial catch appeal that soon became a talking point.

India elected to bat first after winning the toss and was struggling at 17 for 2 when Kohli walked to the crease. Boland delivered a good-length ball around the off-stump, which Kohli edged toward the slips. Smith, stationed at the second slip, leaped forward and got his hand under it. Smith flicked the ball to Marnus Labuschagne, who completed the catch. The Australians celebrated, convinced the dismissal was legitimate, and referred the decision to the third umpire.

The third umpire, after seeing multiple slow-motion replays, ruled in Kohli’s favour, stating that the ball appeared to have touched the ground before Smith completed the grab. Speaking to commentator Isa Guha during the Lunch break, Smith opened up about the catch. “100%. No denying it whatsoever, 100%. But the umpire has made the decision. We’ll move on,” he said.

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Understand what the third umpire’s done there: Simon Taufel

Former ICC umpire Simon Taufel also gave his take on the matter, acknowledging the difficulty of such decisions. He understood why the third umpire adjourned it as not out.

“He could certainly understand what the third umpire’s done there. I think you described it very well when you said that depending upon which side of the fence you sit on, you could probably build a case for either decision to be given. Listening to Joel Wilson’s language there, where he said the fingers were underneath the ball, and then he’s seen it roll on to the ground, by his own language he is telling us that he believes he’s seeing that ball on the ground,” Taufel told on Channel 7.

Despite Kohli’s early survival, his stay at the crease was short-lived. Boland eventually dismissed him in the second session with a delivery pitched wide outside the off-stump, which Kohli nicked to slip fielder Beau Webster and walked back after adding 17 runs.