Wriddhiman Saha’s ‘brain-fade’ against Steve Smith lightens up tense contest

Wriddhiman Saha appealed for a funny dismissal against Steve Smith, that was turned down by umpire Ian Gould on Day 1 of the third Test between India and Australia. The players were left in splits after the incident.

This India-Australia series has given cricketers very few reasons to forget the tension and laugh out loud but Australia captain Steve Smith inadvertently lightened the atmosphere by being part of a strange appeal. (India vs Australia - 3rd Test; Day 1 highlights)

Wriddhaman Saha unsuccessfully appealed against Australia captain Steve Smith on Day 1 of the third Test between India and Australia. (BCCI)

In the 80th over of the first day, Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery got lodged between Smith’s pads after taking an inside edge. With Smith playing almost a chanceless innings till then, India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha perhaps thought this could be the best opportunity to send him back. (India vs Australia - 3rd Test, Day 1 scorecard)

So, Saha stuck in his hand to retrieve the ball but Smith wasn’t ready to let go of it. Both tumbled to the ground in the process. Saha finally managed to get the ball out from between Smith’s legs and quickly appealed, leaving umpire Ian Gould in splits.

The rest of the India team appealed too, perhaps unaware that the ball had already become dead. Gould couldn’t stop laughing while Saha looked around to know why his appeal wasn’t taken seriously. Even non-striker Glenn Maxwell seemed to smile a bit.

But guess who had a deadpan expression throughout that period? Steven Smith. While the India players, Gould and the entire stadium were trying to come to terms with what had just happened, Smith was ready to take guard for the next delivery