Steve Smith fires back at Mohammed Siraj after ‘finger-on-lips’ celebration post-Usman Khawaja wicket

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Mohammed Siraj has been in the headlines ever since the start of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, although not because of his performances but his antics and the host crowd’s hostile behavior towards the Indian pacer.

Well, as usual, the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where Australia and India are currently facing each other in the Boxing Day Test, was at its best in tormenting Mohammed Siraj.

MCG turns hostile for Mohammed Siraj, but the Indian pacer strikes back with a key wicket in the Boxing Day Test

Later, the Indian pacer celebrated Australian opener Usman Khawaja’s wicket after giving India a breakthrough they badly needed in the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on Sunday (December 29).

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In the 19th over, Mohammed Siraj bowled a full delivery on off-stump, angling it across Usman Khawaja. The ball straightened just enough to outfox the Australian opener. Khawaja, unsure of his footwork, played for the angle but left a gap between bat and pad.

The ball slipped through and clipped the top of the off-stump. The breakthrough fired up India and Siraj, who immediately silenced the animated crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Siraj celebrated with his trademark “finger on the lips” gesture as Khawaja’s innings ended at 21 off 65 balls, including two boundaries in the ongoing Boxing Day Test. Later in the innings, Steve Smith was seen giving it back to the Indian bowler by doing the same gesture.

Virat Kohli joins Siraj’s celebration as the Indian star silences the MCG crowd

Virat Kohli joined Siraj’s celebration, visibly fired up after the crucial breakthrough. The wicket of Khawaja was even more satisfying for India, as he had earlier been given a lifeline. When Khawaja was on just 2, Jasprit Bumrah created an opportunity by getting him to flick a delivery drifting down the leg side.

The ball came off the middle of Khawaja’s bat and went straight to Yashasvi Jaiswal at leg gully, positioned perfectly at leg gully for such a chance. However, Jaiswal couldn’t hold on, as the ball slipped through his hands, letting Khawaja off the hook temporarily at the MCG.

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Steve Smith’s lapse hands Mohammed Siraj another big wicket as India dominates the morning session at the MCG

Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj struck again, as Steve Smith fell for 13, failing to replicate his first innings brilliance where he scored a stunning hundred. It was a wide half-volley, tempting Steve Smith to go for a big drive. However, with little foot movement, he ended up edging the ball.

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The outside edge went straight to the Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who took an easy catch behind the stumps. Mohammed Siraj celebrated animatedly, fired up by the reward for India’s disciplined bowling, while Steve Smith’s lapse in concentration proved costly for him and Australia, as India continued to build pressure on the hosts in the ongoing fourth BGT 2024-25 Test in Melbourne.

Notably, it was definitely India’s morning at the MCG, but their poor fielding is disappointing the bowlers as they have already missed more than two chances so far in Australia’s second innings, and they have already taken more than a 200-run lead in the ongoing Boxing Day Test.




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