Nobody wishes to get out without scoring a single run in a game of cricket. Unfortunately, this player has gone out for a duck at least once since 2020
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 is living up to its hype, with both India and Australia putting pressure on each other. On Day Two, India was bundled for 150 in the first innings, but the Indian bowlers took revenge by bundling out Australia for 104 on the early morning of Day Two.
As of now, all eyes are on KL Rahul, who is hoping to recover from his controversial dismissal yesterday and script a massive knock. After all, his form has been questioned over the last few months, and this is his chance to find redemption on one of the biggest stages of cricket. He even scored a quick fire 50 against Bangladesh but Australia is the big fish.
However, fans of both sides are eager to see another batsman’s supremacy, but no, it is not Virat Kohli. Yes, a masterclass innings from Virat Kohli is a 24x7 requirement, but his counterpart Steve Smith’s batting is also equally admired by both sets of Australian and Indian cricket fans.
Unfortunately, Steve Smith has found himself a hattrick of ducks in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2020. Not in hattrick games, though, but since 2020, he has been dismissed for a duck at least in one of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches.
Adam Gilchrist:
— Lucid Dreamz (@AshishShawshank) November 22, 2024
"Box-office world class stuff from the Indian captain"
Bumrah on fire!🔥🔥
What a bowler!#IndVsAus#BGT#WTC#Bumrah#SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/sSCLygPUo2
Day One in Perth was certainly not in Steve Smith’s favour, who walked out with confidence, hoping to play a heroic knock and save Australia’s day after the quick collapse of two openers. However, “Boom Boom” Jasprit Bumrah, who was on fire on Day One, got Smith’s wicket via an LBW in pretty much the same fashion he dismissed Australia’s so-called dark horse, Nathan McSweeney. Not to forget, it was a Golden Duck as Smith went back to the pavilion by facing only one ball in the first innings, earning a hattrick of ducks in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2020.
The last Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2022/23 wasn’t a memorable one for Steve Smith, as he scored only 145 runs in seven innings at an average of 29. In the second Test match played in Delhi, he fell prey to Ravichandran Ashwin twice.
The first innings saw Steve Smith facing only two balls bowled by Ashwin. In the second ball, Smith flicked the outside edge, which was well taken by Srikar Bharat, and went back to the pavilion for a duck.
Ashwin once again! The finger goes up and Steve Smith is lbw, Australia 85/3 #INDvAUS
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 19, 2023
In the second innings, he was again shown the exit door by Ashwin, but this time, he scored nine runs in 19 balls before getting out via an LBW.
The second Test match of the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy also saw Steve Smith succumbing to Ashwin's tricks. Played in Melbourne, Steve Smith batted for 10 minutes and faced seven deliveries before getting caught out by Cheteshwar Pujara in an Ashwin delivery.
If Steve Smith features in the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, it will be interesting to see if he will be able to manage a duck or extend the streak to four ducks in at least one of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches.
