Steve Smith breaks silence as Virat Kohli runs away with a golden duck after dramatic refereeing in Sydney Test

Former Australia captain Steve Smith has opened up on the sensational controversy, with Virat Kohli not out on the first day of the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Steve Smith expressed confidence that he caught the ball cleanly despite third umpire Virat Kohli not being out after a review.

Team India skipper Jasprit Bumrah chose to bat first after winning the toss at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Friday, January 3. However, the decision backfired for the visiting team as they collapsed to 17/2 in 7.4 overs. KL Rahul was dismissed for 4 runs, while Yashasvi Jaiswal added 10 runs.

Watch: Virat Kohli granted reprieve after appeal from Australia

Virat Kohli was given a reprieve after he was given a no-out following an appeal for a catch. The right-handed batsman edged the first ball off the slips of Scott Boland's bowling. Steve Smith, standing at second slip, attempted a low catch. The Australian player tossed the ball into the air after catching it.

Marnus Labuschagne completed the catch in the gully. The Australians celebrated, but Kohli was unmoved, and the decision went to the third umpire. Joel Wilson ruled out not getting the ball out, noting that the ball hit the ground before Smith moved it up. Smith was left frustrated by the decision.

“That ball just hits the ground,” Wilson said before telling the on-field umpires of his decision not to come out.

“Australian fans will feel like they've been robbed, and Indian fans will feel desperately relieved,” former England bowler Guha said in commentary on Fox Cricket at the time of the dismissal.

Speaking to Fox Cricket's Isa Guha during the lunch break on day one, Steve Smith backed his catch involving Virat Kohli. However, the 35-year-old refused to comment on the third umpire's decision as Australia moved on.

“100 per cent; there's no denying that at all, 100 per cent. But the umpire has made the decision and we'll move on,” Smith said (via cricket.com.au on X).

Shubman Gill was trying to bide his time there – Steve Smith

Steve Smith has revealed that Shubman Gill's words before his dismissal may have been in Australia's best interests. Smith noted that Gill stated that he would take his time, but in the end he attempted a risky tour and was fired. The stump microphone captured their brief exchange before the wicket.

“Shopman was trying to bide his time there, and that probably worked to our advantage,” Smith said.

“He said something to me, ‘I’ll take my time’ or something like that, and I was like ‘yeah, I don’t know,’ but he decided to run in the final round and I think he was trying.” Release him (the ball) until that happens.”

Virat Kohli managed to get to lunch, but India were struggling at 57/3. Scott Boland dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mitchell Starc took the wicket of KL Rahul. Nathan Lyon hit the last ball before lunch, dismissing Shubman Gill.

Read also: Anil Kumble criticizes the Indian team management after Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement