Indian cricket fans wanted to see some amazing cricketing action on the 3rd day’s play at Ahmedabad. India have to win the test match in a bid to make it to the finals of the World Test Championships. Australia have already made it to the finals of the showpiece event to be played in England from June 7th to 11th.
The story so far –
Steve Smith won the toss on Thursday and decided to bat first on a pitch which was helping the batters. Australia reach 480 thanks to centuries by Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green. Khawaja scored 180 in over 10 hours of batting, while Green scored 114 which was his maiden test ton. For India, it was Ashwin who was the star with the ball as he picked 6/91.
Smith finds no support to go up for DRS –
India had lost the wicket of Pujara for 42 just moments before the tea break. This got Virat Kohli to the crease. The former Indian captain was yet to open his account after having played 6 balls. That’s when Todd Murphy bowled one outside the off stump.
Kohli went for a slight push as the wicket keeper Alex Carey gathered the ball. Carey was quick to whip off the bails as there was a huge appeal from the bowler.
Smith unhappy with his teammates
The Australian captain was keen on going up for DRS but none of his teammates seemed willing. Bowler, Murphy was the first one to walk away, while Alex Carey too walked away. This did not please the Australian skipper who put out the classic tea-pot pose. Turns out, the decision not to go up for the DRS was the right one as there was no edge of Kohli’s bat.
Shubman Gill falls for 126 –
The star of the Indian batting was 23 year old Shubman Gill who scored his 2nd test ton. The right handed batter played some delightful shots as he had the Indian fans entertained with his mature innings. Gill scored 128 off 235 balls with 12 fours and a six before falling to Nathan Lyon.
Twitter reacts –
The entire incident involving Steve Smith and his teammates had the cricket fans in splits. The fans took to Twitter to have their say and you can read all the tweets below.
— WPL MAHARASTRA (@WMaharastra) March 11, 2023
Steve Smith desperation for DRS seems to be i didn't score, so he shouldn't
— ɐslɐɯ (@pitchinginline) March 11, 2023
Steve Smith to his teammates after that appeal asking their opinions about the DRS #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/DomqnzmF4y
— Samarth Oza (@SamarthOza711) March 11, 2023
Are people gunna blow up at Steve Smith being clearly disappointed with Carey about referral ?
— Stanley Knyfe (@Nimbastic1) March 11, 2023
Or do we understand passion sometimes bring fire ?#IndVsAus2023 #INDvsAUSTest
#INDvAUS look i love steve smith as captain, i think he should be full time. Has served his punishment completely. But dont crack the sads steve when players dont want to review after an appeal. Just accept the honesty.
— stokers (@stokers26) March 11, 2023
A loud appeal for caught-behind, but Carey and Murphy are not convinced enough to demand a review - Steve Smith is pretty animated out there 😄 #INDvAUS
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 11, 2023