In a crucial moment during the World Test Championship (WTC) Final between India and Australia at The Oval, Team India regained momentum as they claimed the vital wicket of Steve Smith on Day 3. Ravindra Jadeja delivered the breakthrough, dismissing Smith and shifting the balance of the game in India’s favor.
The dismissal came in an unexpected manner. Smith, known for his calculated stroke play, attempted an audacious shot against Jadeja. Dancing down the track with a premeditated plan, he failed to reach the pitch of the ball. Despite this, Smith went for a slog over mid-on, even though the delivery was wide outside the off-stump. The ball took the leading edge and spiraled high in the air.
As the crowd held their breath, Shardul Thakur, stationed at point, sprinted to his right, tracking the ball’s trajectory. With precision and composure, Thakur positioned himself and completed a crucial catch, sending Smith back to the pavilion. It was a rare sight to witness Smith falling victim to such an uncharacteristic shot.