BGT 2024-25: Steve Smith says Virat Kohli was "100%" out, refutes third umpire's controversial decision in SCG test

Steve Smith claimed a catch of Virat Kohli on day 1 in Sydney but the third umpire struck it down.

The BGT 2024-25 had another controversial umpire’s decision on day 1 of the fifth test of the series that kicked off on Friday in Sydney involving Steve Smith and third umpire Joel Wilson.

While eventually Wilson adjudged the decision in India batsman Virat Kohli’s favor, Smith refuted it by saying he was “100%” certain that he got his hand under the ball before scooping it in the air.

On the first ball that Kohli faced in the match, off Scott Boland, he edged it to the right of second slip, and it was low.

Smith dived low to his right and got a grab of the ball. But as he was imbalanced, Smith scooped the ball up in the air. Marnus Labuschagne, at gully, completed the catch.

The on-field umpire decided to get it checked by the third umpire. Wilson was convinced that the ball had touched the grass while it was in Smith’s hand and judged Kohli not out.

Smith was displeased with the third umpire’s decision. During the lunch break, while speaking to Fox Sports, Smith said, “100%. No denying it whatsoever, 100%,” when asked if he had his hand under the ball.

Smith would, though, accept the umpire’s decision, saying, “But the umpire has made the decision. We’ll move on.”

Watch: Steve Smith “100%” claims Virat Kohli’s catch

"100%. No denying it whatsoever."Steve Smith weighs in on whether he got his hand underneath the ball in the biggest moment of the morning. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bqIy8iGIRm

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025

Kohli, however, couldn’t make a lot use of the reprieve he got. After lunch, he was dismissed in the same fashion, edging a delivery outside the off-stump, off the same bowler, Boland, for 17 off 69 balls.

Jasprit Bumrah, who is leading the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma, won the toss and elected to bat first on a green pitch in Sydney. India are in trouble on day 1. At the time of writing, India are 76/4.

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