The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) at The Gabba witnessed yet another fiery Mohammed Siraj moment, as the Indian pacer stole the spotlight with a clever move that eventually led to the dismissal of Australia’s key batter, Marnus Labuschagne.
During the 33rd over on Day 2, Siraj disrupted Labuschagne’s focus with an unexpected act. As he walked past the batter, Siraj switched the bails at the non-striker’s end, drawing attention from the crowd and the batter himself. Labuschagne, known for his meticulous preparation, reversed the bail to its original position, much to the amusement of the Gabba audience. However, this seemingly playful act from Siraj had a deeper impact.
Siraj went to change the bails over…
Marnus was having none of it 😅#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/nfQZ1sEZqo
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 15, 2024
The brief distraction appeared to unsettle Labuschagne’s rhythm. Just five balls later, Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a brilliant outswinger that found the edge of Labuschagne’s bat, with Virat Kohli completing a sharp catch at slips. Labuschagne’s dismissal was a crucial breakthrough for India, as the Australian number three walked back to the pavilion under pressure.
The Gabba crowd, which had cheered for Labuschagne earlier, witnessed how Siraj’s antics added a layer of drama to the game. This dismissal highlighted India’s tactical acumen and Siraj’s ability to get under the skin of opposition players, a recurring theme throughout the ongoing series.
As the match continues, Siraj’s fiery persona and antics, combined with Nitish Kumar Reddy’s skillful bowling, have added excitement to the closely contested series, keeping cricket fans on the edge of their seats.