Australia’s iconic batter Steve Smith experienced a bittersweet outing during the fourth Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). While Smith delivered yet another masterclass, scoring a sublime century and etching his name in the record books, his innings came to a sudden and bizarre end, courtesy of India’s Akash Deep.
Smith’s dismissal was both rare and uncharacteristic, marking an unusual conclusion to an otherwise flawless knock. The moment unfolded during the 115th over of Australia’s first innings when Steve Smith was batting alongside Nathan Lyon. Following the lunch break, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma made a tactical decision to introduce Akash Deep into the attack, a move that turned out to be pivotal.
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The young pacer, relatively new to the Test arena, rose to the occasion with a clever delivery that caught even the seasoned Steve Smith off guard. Bowling at a moderate pace of 128.5 kph, Akash Deep delivered a back-of-the-length ball outside off, tempting Smith to play an expansive drive. Smith misjudged his timing, attempting to loft the ball through the off-side. The ball took a faint inside edge, deflected off his pads, and rolled onto the base of the leg stump, dislodging the bails.
Oh dear Steve Smith!
That is as bizarre as it gets 😳 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ZDUWggwBq4
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2024
The dismissal was a crucial breakthrough for India, coming at a time when Steve Smith seemed poised to propel Australia to an imposing total. Ravindra Jadeja had earlier removed Mitchell Starc shortly after lunch, but Akash Deep could claim the prized wicket of Smith that shifted the momentum in India’s favour. The scalp was particularly significant, as Smith had looked invincible up until that point, showcasing his trademark precision and adaptability at the crease.
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For Smith, the dismissal was a rare misstep in an otherwise flawless innings. His century further cemented his status as one of the modern greats, but the unorthodox nature of his departure left fans and commentators in shock. On the other hand, for Akash Deep, it was a career-defining moment—one that will likely bolster his confidence and reputation as a promising talent in international cricket.
As the match progresses, Smith’s wicket may prove to be a turning point in this high-stakes Test. For India, it was a moment of triumph born out of strategic brilliance, while for Smith, it was a reminder of cricket’s unpredictable nature, where even the best can be undone by a single, well-placed delivery.
