[WATCH]- Virat Kohli Taunts Sydney Crowd With ‘Sandpaper’ Gesture After Steve Smith’s Dismissal

India‘s stand-in captain, Virat Kohli, showcased his trademark energy on Day 5 of the final Test in Sydney, mocking the Australian crowd with a ‘sandpaper’ gesture after Steve Smith’s dismissal. Just one run short of the 10,000 Test-run milestone, Smith edged a Prasidh Krishna delivery to Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully.

After Smith’s dismissal, Kohli, stationed at slips, turned to the crowd and gestured with empty pockets, alluding to the notorious sandpaper scandal from Australia’s 2018 tour of South Africa. The incident led to Smith losing his captaincy and serving a 12-month suspension from international cricket.

You can watch the video here:

"What is that about?"#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HwNZXhKW1S

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2025

In the crucial Sydney Test, Smith’s dismissal provided the perfect boost for Team India in their defense of 162. The star batter fell for just 4 runs off 9 balls, leaving Australia struggling at 58/3 in 10 overs, still needing 104 runs for victory.

On the other hand, Kohli had a match to forget, managing only 23 runs across both innings. His Australian tour ended on a disappointing note, with just 190 runs at an average of under 24 across five Tests.

Steve Smith’s dismissal sets up a thrilling finish to the Sydney Test

The fifth and final Test between India and Australia at Sydney remained finely poised as the teams headed to lunch on Day 3. The hosts were at 71/3 after 13 overs, setting the stage for an evenly contested battle in the deciding match of the series.

After dismissing India early in the day, Australia made a strong start to their chase of 162, reaching 39/0 in just four overs. However, Prasidh Krishna sparked India’s fightback with three quick wickets, leaving Australia reeling at 58/3 in 10 overs.

With Australia leading the series 2-1, the outcome of this Test is pivotal. A win would not only secure the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the hosts but also guarantee their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final alongside South Africa, ending India’s chances of qualification.

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.