Ricky Ponting feels Steve Smith’s attempted catch was clean against Virat Kohli in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes Virat Kohli was lucky to survive after Steve Smith’s attempted catch was not given by third umpire Joel Wilson in the fifth Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. 

Kohli edged the first ball he faced against Scott Boland and Steve Smith, standing at second slip was able to scoop the ball to Marnus Labuschagne as Australians were on cloud nine after the catch.

However, on replay, Joel Wilson felt a part of the ball touched the ground and gave the benefit of the doubt to the batter.

Ricky Ponting said on 7Cricket, “As far as I was concerned, if (the ball) had’ve come out of (Smith’s) hand, he wouldn’t have been able to scoop it up. That’s what I’m saying, I think his fingers are clearly underneath the ball … look where his pointer figure is there, it’s still underneath the ball.”

On the other hand, Steve Smith feels he had cleanly scooped the ball to Marnus Labuschagne.

Smith told Isa Guha after lunch”100%. No denying it whatsoever. But the umpire has made the decision, so we move on.”

Meanwhile, former Australian opener Mark Waugh said Kohli was lucky to get away with that decision from the third umpire.

“I think that’s out… I think he’s made the second movement to get his fingers underneath it. He’s got away with one there Kohli,” Waugh said on Fox Sports

Former Australian captain Allan Border and England skipper Michael Vaughan also thought it was out.

“To me that’s just out,” Border said on Fox Sports

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli was eventually dismissed after scoring 17 runs off 69 balls by Scott Boland. India are struggling at 143-7 after 64 overs on the opening day.