Australian debutant Beau Webster has shared his views on Virat Kohli’s controversial drop by Steve Smith on Day 1 of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 New Year’s Test against India at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on Friday. January 3.

On Day 1, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) witnessed high drama as Virat Kohli narrowly escaped dismissal against Australia. The tense moment unfolded in the 7.5th over of India’s first session when Virat Kohli entered the crease, replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Virat Kohli survives close call at SCG as Beau Webster shares insights

Facing his first delivery from Australian pacer Scott Boland, Kohli was lucky to escape what could have been another embarrassment for him. Scott Boland bowled a long delivery that caught the edge of Kohli’s bat and sent the ball towards the slip boundary.

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Steve Smith, who was stationed in the stands, attempted to catch the ball, but the ball skimmed the grass just before being picked up by another Australian fielder in the gully. The on-field umpire referred the incident to third umpire Joel Wilson, who carefully reviewed multiple camera angles.

After a thorough examination, the decision was in favor of India, allowing Kohli to continue his innings, but he was unable to make the most of the lifeline he was given in Sydney. Now, to add to the tension, Beau Webster expressed his disappointment, saying that while the initial view seemed clear, slow-motion replays confirmed that the ball made contact with the ground.

It’s just a matter of how much the ball touched the grass: Beau Webster

Beau Webster said in the post-match press conference after the end of Day 1 at the SCG: “Yeah, I had a good view. I thought it was a clear shot from where I was at the time. Obviously, when you slow down and slow down the replays and slow motion, there’s probably some grass that touched that ball. It’s just a matter of how much the grass touched the ball.”

He also highlighted the challenges of low catches and the increasing dependence on advanced technology in modern cricket. However, Webster said the Australian team was very happy that Kohli failed to convert his reprieve into a century, but the incident became a major talking point.

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Beau Webster explained: “Anytime you make a low catch, there will always be an element of grass near the ball, especially when you slow it down. So, we all thought it was out and unfortunately it didn’t turn out the way we wanted, but we are all very happy that Virat Kohli didn’t get a 100 later.”

It was also a difficult decision for the third referee: Beau Webster

He said goodbye saying: “It was difficult. It’s always difficult for a third referee when you have that kind of replay and you have so much slow motion technology these days. I feel like in the end it was a little inevitable how close that ball came to the grass. Yes, a little bit.”

Notably, Scott Boland finally removed Virat Kohli for just 17 runs off 69 balls as India could only post 185 runs on the board in their first innings against Australia in the ongoing New Year’s Test.