Overnight batters Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne walked out to the crease on the second day, with the duo steadily keeping the scorecard ticking as Australia moved to 15/1 in six overs. However, India gained an early breakthrough when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Labuschagne in the seventh over. Amidst the action, Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah made an unexpected exit from the field for unknown reasons, briefly handing over the captaincy to Virat Kohli. The change in leadership had an immediate impact, as Kohli made a crucial decision to bring Prasidh Krishna into the attack. Krishna responded by dismissing Steve Smith, further tilting the momentum in India’s favour.
The Karnataka pacer was struggling with his line and length, especially as Bumrah and Siraj were consistently producing some great outswingers. Despite this, Virat Kohli made the bold call to hand Krishna the ball for the 28th over, knowing that Steve Smith had previously struggled with Krishna’s extra bounce. On the first delivery, Krishna bowled a fuller length outside off, shaping away slightly. Smith, attempting to drive, poked at it with hard hands and edged it to KL Rahul at second slip, who made the catch. Kohli’s sudden bowling change proved to be a masterstroke, as it resulted in the vital wicket of Smith, with the Twitterverse quickly reacting to the timely decision.
Steve Smith needed just five runs to get to the 10,000 milestone but edged this one. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/LdIA3T5OAK
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2025
Yupe!
That’s how the cookie crumbles!
— Homskyra (@homskyra) January 4, 2025
Yeah that is!
Massive massive wicket this for India. Siraj doing the magic here
— SAW (@bonhomme_ci) January 4, 2025
Yupeee!
Big wicket in context of this game
— Aadhira (@trend_1O1) January 4, 2025
It was some good session!
India’s session this. Thanks to the first hour of play.
— GANPAT CHOUDHARY (@JNU_Ganpat) January 4, 2025
Bad luck!
Smith’s gone! A crucial breakthrough for India pic.twitter.com/HpNqWb8J9m
— संदीप त्रिपाठी (@_sandeep21) January 4, 2025
YEah that hurts!
Bad Luck Smith!
— Mojahid Bhuyan 🇧🇩 (@mojahid_bhuyan) January 4, 2025
