Mohammed Siraj Dismisses Steve Smith with Pant’s Stunning Catch
Mohammed Siraj‘s fiery comeback in the Gabba Test against Australia lit up Day 4. The Indian pacer dismissed the dangerous Steve Smith. Rishabh Pant’s game-changing catch made it possible. The dramatic dismissal has kept India alive in this thrilling Test. They face a tough 185-run first-innings deficit.
India Strikes Back with Early Wickets
After being all out for 260, India faced a tough task. Australia had a big lead. However, the Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, were intense. They reduced Australia to 5 wickets for very few runs in their second innings.
Bumrah’s brilliant spell saw him take the wickets of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne early on. Meanwhile, Akash Deep took advantage of the pressure. He dismissed Mitchell Marsh for just 2 runs. But, the moment of the day belonged to Mohammed Siraj. He dismissed Steve Smith in spectacular fashion.
Siraj Roars as Pant Flies for Smith’s Wicket
Steve Smith, trying to save the Australian innings, fell to his old flaw: getting out down the leg side. Siraj bowled a sharp delivery. It tempted Smith to shuffle and try a flick. However, the ball flew off the edge and to the left of wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Pant, with lightning reflexes, dived full stretch to grab a stunner. It sent Smith back to the dressing room for just 4 runs. The dismissal was met with an emphatic roar from Siraj, who knew he had delivered a pivotal moment in the match.
India’s Outside Chance at Victory
Despite a first-innings lead, India’s disciplined bowling has brought them back into the match. With less than two sessions left in the game, the team has a realistic chance of pulling off an upset.
If India’s bowlers can take the last five Aussie wickets, the visitors may chase a target of about 250. Aggressive batting and smart planning are key. They will turn this chance into a historic win.
Key Match Stats (So Far):
- India First Innings: 260 all out
- Australia First Innings Lead: 185 runs
- Jasprit Bumrah: 2 wickets (Khawaja, Labuschagne)
- Mohammed Siraj: Key wicket of Steve Smith (4 runs)
- Rishabh Pant: Sensational one-handed catch to dismiss Smith
India’s performance in the final sessions will determine if they can rewrite the script in what has already been a nail-biting Test match.