Only hours after Virat Kohli survived an umpire review for the would-be catch of the summer from Steve Smith, India found themselves back on the wrong side of the ledger.
Australian captain Pat Cummins reviewed a not-out call on Washington Sundar, who had attempted to pull his bouncer away late on day one of the series-deciding SCG Test.
On review, the ball looked to have contacted Washington's glove as it flew to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, though real-time snicko showed only a minuscule spike as the ball passed through.
"I can't differentiate any gap between ball and glove," said third umpire Joel Wilson before giving the allrounder out.
Washington (14) stood his ground after Wilson made his decision before eventually walking slowly from the pitch to jeering from the Sydney crowd.
The situation bore eerie resemblance to a game-defining dismissal at the MCG last week, when Yashasvi Jaiswal was given out on review as the third umpire again deferred to visual evidence rather than real time snicko.
On that occasion, opening batter Jaiswal (84) had been India's last hope to salvage a draw in the final session, with Australia instead holding on for an 184-run win and 2-1 series lead.Â
At the SCG, Washington's dismissal left India without a recognised batter at the crease and seemingly careering towards a meagre first-innings total.
Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli wait anxiously for third umpire Joel Wilson's verdict. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Earlier, Steve Smith believed he "100 per cent" took a clean catch to dismiss India's pantomime villain Kohli, who survived the chance to spark early controversy in Sydney.
It took only eight overs on day one for the fuse to be lit, as Australia believed they had taken a miraculous catch that would have dismissed Kohli for a golden duck and left the visitors reeling at 3-17.
Having dispatched opener Jaiswal with his previous delivery, cult hero Scott Boland enticed Kohli into clipping to the cordon.
At second slip, Smith had his fingers under the ball before scooping Kohli's outside edge upwards with one hand. Marnus Labuschagne then completed what the hosts were sure was a catch.
"Hundred per cent, like, no denying it whatsoever," Smith told Fox Cricket when asked whether he had taken a fair catch.
It was almost a remarkable scooped team catch to dismiss Kohli first ball, but the ball juuuuust touched the ground 🤯 — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WsP1QcwdOWJanuary 3, 2025
But umpires Sharfuddoula Saikat and Michael Gough sent the catch upstairs for review by Wilson, who determined the ball had touched the grass as Smith attempted to control it.
"The umpire's made the decision and we'll move on," Smith said.
Boland eventually had Kohli's wicket after lunch, the veteran edging a delivery wide of off stump to Test debutant Beau Webster, who took his second slips catch of the day.
Out for 17, Kohli has averaged only 13.17 across six knocks since his unbeaten century in the series opener in Perth.
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