Steve Smith and Shubman Gill got into a verbal altercation just before the Indian batsman was out on Day 1 of the fifth Test of the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). When openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to the pavilion by the eighth over, the visitors were under pressure.
After missing the Boxing Day Test, Gill rejoined the team and was tasked with guiding Virat Kohli. Gill was optimistic that he would survive when he faced Nathan Lyon in the 25th over, right before lunch.
He took additional time to face the last delivery after blocking the over’s penultimate ball and walking down the pitch to tap his bat. Clearly irritated, Smith and Marnus Labuschagne made fun of the child, which was captured on the stump microphone.
“Easy, got it in easy,” said Labuschagne. He must call for the “sprain.” Smith: “This is bullshit! Hey, how about we play?
In response to the joke, the Indian batter said, “You take your time Smithy, no one says anything to you!.”
Both of the Australian players responded. Smith: “Just have fun, buddy.” Let us play.
“Take your time, son,” said Labuschagne.
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There, Shubman made an effort to slow down: Steve Smith
The last ball of the over was delivered by Lyon; it was a little shorter and spun away quite sharply. Gill charged down the wicket in an attempt to break Lyon’s rhythm, but he was unable to reach the ball’s pitch. When he tried to protect, a thick edge was created that went straight to Smith at slip. as catching the catch, the Australian fielder gave the right-hander an angry farewell as he was dismissed for 20 off 64 balls.
We likely benefited from Shubman’s attempt to take his time there. Smith told Fox Cricket over the lunch that he chose to run at the last one and that he was attempting to launch him (Lyon).
India was at 57/3 and on the defensive going into lunch after Gill was dismissed. With a maximum score of 31, the young batter’s incapacity to turn beginnings into significant runs has been a recurring problem this season.
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