Steve Smith had a prickly sledging exchange with an Indian batter Shubman Gill was overhead in Stump Mic during the SCG test.
Gill was trying to make his bet it through to the lunch break on day 01 of the fifth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Nathan Lyon had been brought in to bowl while Gill was taking time between deliveries, doing some gardening on the pitch to avoid facing another over before lunch.
On the occasion, Smith told Gill “Oi, let’s play” with Marnus Labuschagne put a similar message while standing at leg slip saying, “Easy, got it in easy!” He needs to call for the ‘sprain’.
Nathan Lyon gets a wicket on the last ball before lunch 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/B5nfTtBvem
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025
Gill seemed to respond to Smith Words saying, “You take your time so I’ll take my time.” The next ball, Gill danced downed the pitch only to edge a delivery from Lyon straight to Smith at slip.
Aussies pushed for one final over before the first main break Gill, like many other batters on the dismissed at the end of session, every intention of trying to make the 25th over the final before lunch and help nullify Australia’s momentum.
Nathan Lyon looked to finish his over before the 12.30 PM cut-off lunch, Gill’s attempt at making it to lunch, coming down the wicket to prod his bat on the pitch. Smith and Labuschagne were animated as they celebrated the wicket.
During the lunch break interaction Smith said, “Shubman has trying to take his time there (and) it probably played into our hands.”
“He decided to run at the last one, and I think he was trying to launch him (Lyon).” Gill missed first and fourth test of the ongoing series and averages 20 with a high score of 31 in four innings.
Meanwhile Adam Gilchrist said, “There was some nice by-play before his dismissal. I’d say Australia won that little battle.”
“Shubman Gill just trying to drag it out and ensure that was the last over (before lunch). “Engaged in a bit of verbal back and forth. It was a really interesting stroke, wasn’t sure if he hadn’t focused back in on concentrating on that very last delivery and just shuffled down the crease,” said Adam Gilchrist.
