Virat Kohli stole the spotlight with his on-field brilliance during the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). On Day 4, Kohli’s sharp tactics were on full display as he masterfully guided Mohammed Siraj to dismiss Steve Smith in the second session.
The former India skipper, positioned in the slip cordon, instructed Siraj to bowl from a wider angle. His words, caught on the stump mic, were clear: “Kone se, kone se. Har ball kone se! Usko pasand nahi hai kone se.” Translation? Bowl wide of the crease; Smith struggles against that angle.
How the Plan Unfolded
Siraj followed the instructions to perfection. Bowling from wide of the crease, he angled a fuller delivery towards Smith. The Australian batter, unable to resist, went for an expansive drive. The ball kissed the edge of his bat and landed safely in Rishabh Pant’s gloves. It was a crucial breakthrough for India.
Smith, who had been in good touch, departed after scoring 13 runs off 41 balls. Kohli’s sharp instincts and Siraj’s precise execution had outwitted one of Australia’s finest.
Siraj Redeems Himself
The dismissal of Smith wasn’t the only highlight for Siraj. After a lackluster first innings where he went wicketless and conceded 122 runs in 23 overs, the pacer bounced back with determination in the second innings.
Siraj also removed Usman Khawaja with a peach of a delivery, knocking him over from over the stumps. Later, he trapped Marnus Labuschagne lbw, dismissing the prolific batter for 70 off 139 balls. These wickets silenced critics who had questioned Siraj’s place in the playing XI.
The Crowd Drama
Adding to the drama, Siraj didn’t hold back his emotions. After dismissing Khawaja, he gestured to silence the raucous Australian crowd at the MCG. Smith, in response, signaled Siraj to calm down. But in the end, the Indian pacer had the last laugh.
Siraj’s performance in the first innings had drawn sharp criticism. Bowling 10 wides and failing to take a wicket, his efforts were labeled subpar. Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar even suggested Siraj be dropped for non-performance.
“I think Siraj, perhaps, needs a little bit of a break,” Gavaskar remarked during a discussion on Star Sports. He further emphasised the importance of being upfront with players about their performance.
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