Sydney: During the third day of the ongoing fifth Test between India and Australia in Sydney, India batsman Virat Kohli riled up the Australian crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday with his ‘sandpaper gesture.’ He was seen emptying his pockets towards the crowds and saying that he wasn’t carrying anything in the pockets. But why did Kohli, who was the stand in captain for India in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, making such a gesture? What does it mean?
Virat Kohli shows his pockets to SCG crowd gesturing there is no sandpaper
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) January 5, 2025
Well, he made the gesture after India dismissed Steve Smith, who was involved in the sandpapergate scandal in 2018 while playing against South Africa in Cape Town. The Australian team had then used sandpaper to tamper with the ball during the match. It helped them with some reverse swing. However, their act was caught on the camera and Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned. Hence, Kohli reminded the Australian crowd of the scandal and gave a send-off to the Australian batter.
Morning match highlights on Day 3
At 151/4 around 8.50am (IST), Australia needs 11 more runs to win the fifth Test and the series of Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India couldn’t add much to the overnight score of 142/6 and were bundled out for 157.
Pat Cummins and Scott Boland picked two wickets each on the morning of Day 3.
Australia was left with a target of 161 to chase down to win the Test and the series by 3-1.
Indian bowlers were wayward as they gave away easy runs and extras to Australia in the absence of an injured Jasprit Bumrah.
Mohammed Siraj reaches the milestone of 100 Test wickets, solidifying his spot among India’s elite pacers. He achieved the feat as he dismissed Usman Khawaja for 41 runs.
Prasidh Krishna got the first wicket for India as Sam Konstas was caught at mid-off by Washington Sundar.
Prasidh Krishna denies Steve Smith’s 10,000-run Test milestone, leaves Australian star hanging at 9,999.
