Two quick scalps at the start of play from Jasprit Bumrah set the tone for India in the first session on Day 2 of the third Test at the Gabba as the visitors tightened the screws on Australia. The pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith found themselves stuck at the crease struggling to score freely in the face of probing spells from the Indian pacers with little respite but the speedsters somehow were unable to find a way to break through. As the partnership neared the 50-run mark, Mohammed Siraj decided to think out of the box with hilarious results.
The right-arm quick saw Labuschagne come on strike on the second ball of the 32nd over and floated a ball outside off stump that was left without much ado. However, in the follow-up, Siraj walked all the way up to an inquisitive Labuschagne, brushing past his perplexed expressions and body language, before switching the two bails around on top of the stumps. The trick was borrowed from Stuart Broad’s antics in the 2023 Ashes, where doing so had landed England the wicket of Labuschagne at a crucial stage of an encounter and got Broad his final career wicket. Even though one bail off, Siraj ensured both wooden pieces were firmly in place before returning to his mark.
This time though, the veteran batter would not fall as easily. As soon as Siraj turned around, Labischagne quickly brought the bails back to their original position, much to Twitterati’s amusement. Ultimately, Siraj did end up having the last laugh as Labuschagne nicked off Nitish Kumar Reddy within a couple of overs to end a steadfast stand.
This is hilarious
Captain Kohli?
Kohli backing Siraj. 🫶 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TsQJfoNviA
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) December 15, 2024
Haha that really worked out for us Siraj bhai🫰 https://t.co/otXzFRDQdX
— Saiteja Bandari🇮🇳 (@isaitejapatel) December 15, 2024
Absolute cinema
Love hate
Love Hate- Triangle Continues among #MohammedSiraj & Crowd @marnus3cricket
Siraj changes the bails & then Labuschagne placed again.
Nitish Reddy Got wicket..#INDvAUS#bordergavaskartrophy2024 pic.twitter.com/vskCeCE9tU— alekhaNikun (@nikun28) December 15, 2024
Keep quiet all of you, ALL
You were booeing Siraj
You were questioning rohit’s decision
Just keep quiet
That’s our MAN #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/cqMmYBSYz3— रोहित जुगलान Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) December 15, 2024
Change
The exchange
THE BAILS EXCHANGE….!!!! 😄
– Siraj & Labuschagne changing the bails, A fun moment at Gabba.pic.twitter.com/qWcX5WYpoI— Harsh Suthar (@Harshsuthar119) December 15, 2024
ok we’re seated, head smacking siraj is all we need for a good sleep
— Bikram (@harsahibsingh22) December 15, 2024
Perfect
Perfect timing for the wicket. Both siraj and reddy’s spells have been completed. Should comfortably bring Bumrah back for head. Rohith don’t do blunder like last time
— You (@RatshitShow2) December 15, 2024
