Very rarely do you see Australian fielders drop catches—they’ve been a good fielding unit since history. The ongoing India vs Australia series has been a memorable one for visiting captain Steven Smith. He not only got a century on a poor Pune wicket but also took his team to a convincing victory; thus, showing why is hailed among the best ever captain.
But, as they say, to err is human. Steven Smith dropped a catch. He dropped a crucial catch of India’s solid number 3, Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara has the appetite of scoring gallons of runs, so will the drop cost Australia the match? Only time can answer that. India had lost Mukund just after lunch, and a new Pujara had walked out to the centre. He had a huge mountain to climb, hence his wickets would have set India really back in this Test and the series.
A chance goes down! Lyon finds the edge from Pujara (4*), but Smith can’t hold on to the sharp chance low to his left. So close… #INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 6, 2017
India were at 47 for 1 when Pujara edged Lyon’s drifter to first slip, playing down the wrong line. Smith, who was low, could not react quickly to his left. This is a trickier proposition—to the left—as Smith is a natural right hander. One has to say it was a sharp chance but it will go down in history as a drop, a missed opportunity.
BOWLED HIM! That’s a beauty from Hazlewood. Mukund’s stumps have been dismantled and he’s on his way for 16. India 1-39 #INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 6, 2017
Currently, Pujara is still there in the middle batting at 13 from 24 balls; and India are at 74/1 and trail by 13 runs.
Copyright © 2024 IE Online Media Services Private Ltd. All Rights Reserved.