BGT | Twitter in awe as Smith's redemption arc Test continues with blinder at slip to dispatch KL

Today at 8:03 AM

Everyone makes mistakes, but what separates the great from the ordinary is their tendency not to repeat them and find brilliant ways to cover their flaws. The gifted Steve Smith is no different as he further honed his credentials as one of the best catchers of his era with a one handed stunner.

India continued to swim in troubled waters on Day 4 of the Gabba Test as the team found itself reeling at XXX/6 after the first session, still XXX runs behind Australia's commanding first innings total of 445. The situation could have been much worse for the Men in Blue had Steve Smith held onto a sitter at second slip on the very first ball of the day's play to dispatch KL Rahul, who was unbeaten on 33 at the time. The elegant opener went on to punish Australia severely for their mistakes, ending up with 84 runs and re-igniting hope of the visitors avoiding the follow on. The dismissal was no less dramatic than the drop either, and in a way spelt out the narrative of Australia's greatest Test batter of the ongoing generation.

Midway through the 43rd over, KL tried to punch away a length delivery off Lyon to keep the scorecard ticking. But the Kookaburra gripped the surface to provide some extra bounce which was enough for the veteran to lose control of the shot as the red cherry flew towards the second slip region. There was only one problem for Australia -- Steve Smith was the only slip-in position. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the Aussie instinctively dove to his right with one arm extended and the ball somehow stuck in his palm.

Thus a wonderful redemption arc became complete, akin to how Smith reclaimed his form with an exceptional century in the Test after a series of low scores. Twitterati was unsurprisingly all over the story.

Superb!

WHAT A CATCH FROM STEVE SMITH!

Sweet redemption after dropping KL Rahul on the first ball of the day.#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/d7hHxvAsMd
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2024

Lone warrior

KL Rahul, batting alone against the australian bowling lineup:pic.twitter.com/ydQG40pUQq
— isHaHaHa (@hajarkagalwa) December 17, 2024

True

If you need runs overseas please call @klrahul
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 17, 2024

On call

KL Rahul on call: https://t.co/xJMQnS07X8 pic.twitter.com/Wyt1EzQf29
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 17, 2024

Well deserved, but...

Every overseas he impresses more and more

Deserved a 100 here but what a committed and patient knock under immense pressure from KL RAHUL pic.twitter.com/TvRBqbUplJ
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) December 17, 2024

collapse

From KL Rahul is always a part of the collapse to KL Rahul always prevents the collapse...📈 pic.twitter.com/4705eBF3H4
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) December 17, 2024

proper Test batter

KL Rahul is the only proper TEST batsman India has in the absence of Pujara, Vihari, and Rahane, who can grind, do the dirty work, bat with patience, and attack when needed.

My support for him has always been due to his skills and the way he scored Test centuries in South…
— Sunderdeep - Volklub (@volklub) December 17, 2024

Unpopular

Unpopular opinion: KL Rahul has done more for India in terms of winning Matches than Kohli has done for India. pic.twitter.com/L4g8ikHFK9
— ` (@rahulmsd_91) December 17, 2024

SENA

KL Rahul at SENA Tests

110 at Sydney (2015)

149 at Oval (2018)

84 at Nottingham (2021)

129 at Lord's (2021)

123 at Centurion (2021)

50 at Johannesburg (2022)

101 at Centurion (2023)

77 at Perth (2024)

84 at Brisbane (2024)*#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/ymyi5RRcpg
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) December 17, 2024