Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant took an impressive catch to dismiss Australian batter Steve Smith on Day 4 of the ongoing first Test match in Perth. Rishabh Pant showed brilliant reflexes to complete the catch as Steve Smith registered yet another failure with the bat in the BGT 2024-25 series opener.
Australia lost the early wicket of Usman Khawaja (4) on day four of the match at Optus Stadium on Monday, November 25. Steve Smith and Travis Head added a decent partnership in the final innings. However, Mohammed Siraj picked up his second wicket of the day by dismissing Smith.
Watch: Rishabh Pant Takes A Spectacular Catch To Get Away From Steve Smith
The incident happened in the fourth ball of the 25th over of Australia’s second innings. Mohammed Siraj bowled a delivery around the off-stump channel that settled slightly after the toss.
Steve Smith edged him and Rishabh Pant completed a stunning catch. The Indian keeper went full length to his right to complete the dismissal. Smith, dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings, had to return to the dressing room after scoring just 17 runs off 60 balls in the second.
DSP Sahab #MohammedSiraj
is in the hunt and Australia are feeling the pressure!
#AUSvINDOnStar
Challenge 1, Day 4, LIVE NOW! #AUSWIN #Toughest Competition pic.twitter.com/M76h20xi4l
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 25, 2024
Mitchell Marsh joins Travis boss following Steve Smith’s sacking
Australia ended the first session with 104 runs for the loss of five wickets. Left-handed batsman Travis Head remained unbeaten at the crease with 63 runs from 72 balls including 7 fours. Mitchell Marsh joined Head following the sacking of Steve Smith. Marsh scored 23 balls off 5 runs before the break.
The home team needs another 430 runs to win the Test match, which seems impossible. On the other hand, the Jasprit Bumrah-led team will hope to finish the match in the next two sessions to secure victory. It will be interesting to see the approaches of the two teams after the lunch break on the fourth day.
If Steve Smith acted like Virat Kohli… – Matthew Hayden
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden hoped that Australia would play three sessions on Day 4. Hayden said that if Steve Smith plays Virat Kohli for the team on the fourth day, the game can go to the 5th day.
“Hopefully Australia will go three sessions long. But if Steve Smith had played a role in the team like Virat Kohli, the game would have gone to the fifth day. I want at least three Tests in five days in this series.
“It’s a long series and the advantage will go from one team to the other. Australia will have their day and India will dominate in a few days,” said Matthew Hayden.
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