NEW DELHI: In a moment of strategic genius, veteran India batter Virat Kohli’s on-field instructions played a pivotal role in Mohammed Siraj dismissing Australia’s batting maestro Steve Smith on Day 4 of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The dismissal proved crucial in denting Australia’s second innings and showcased the synergy between Kohli’s tactical acumen and Siraj’s execution.
The turning point came when Kohli, known for his proactiveness on the field, was caught on the stump microphone guiding Siraj on how to bowl to Smith, who had scored a big century in the first innings. Kohli instructed the pacer to bowl from the wide edge of the crease, a subtle adjustment designed to exploit Smith’s tendencies.
“Kone se, kone se. Har ball kone se. Usko pasand hai kone se,” Kohli advised, urging Siraj to maintain the angle that would tempt Smith into a mistake.
Following the batter’s directive, Siraj delivered a wide ball from the edge of the crease. The ploy worked to perfection as Smith, looking to play a delivery he misjudged, edged it to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Siraj celebrated exuberantly as India removed the prized wicket, leaving Australia at 80/3.
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Former cricketer Deep Dasgupta, analyzing the moment on Star Sports, lauded the tactical brilliance: “Wicket ke kone se. Wide of the crease gaye. Jaise hi bowler wide of the crease jata hai, ballebaaz ke dimaag me jata hai ki yeh ander daalega ball. Wide of the crease jaake bahar ko ball dala.”
Earlier in the day, Siraj had already made his presence felt by clean-bowling opener Usman Khawaja for 21. His fiery spell brought him redemption after a wicketless first innings, where he had conceded 122 runs in 23 overs.
India, having posted a resilient 369 in response to Australia’s mammoth 474 in the first innings, relied heavily on their bowlers to claw back into the game. Jasprit Bumrah provided the initial breakthrough, dismissing Sam Konstas, but it was Siraj’s double strike, aided by Kohli’s tactical genius, that kept India in the hunt.
