Steve Smith’s Lucky Escape in ICC Champions Trophy Semifinal
During the thrilling ICC Champions Trophy semifinal between India and Australia, cricket fans witnessed a moment that perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable nature of the sport. Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith narrowly avoided a dismissal in a bizarre sequence involving an Axar Patel delivery.
On the last ball of India’s 14th over, Axar Patel bowled a good-length delivery that Smith attempted to defend. However, a thick inside edge deflected the ball onto his pad and sent it rolling towards the stumps. The ball gently kissed the off-stump but, in an extraordinary twist, the bails remained firmly in place, leaving the entire stadium in disbelief.
As Smith stood frozen in shock, the collective breath of the crowd was held in suspense. What could have been a pivotal moment in the match turned into a stroke of luck for the Australian batter. Commentators quickly highlighted the rarity of such occurrences, with the visuals of the incident rapidly going viral on social media.
Even Axar Patel seemed stunned, unable to comprehend his misfortune. This semifinal clash carried high stakes, with India eager to avenge their previous World Cup final loss to Australia. The atmosphere was electric, underscored by the Indian team wearing black armbands in honor of legendary spinner Padmakar Shivalkar, who recently passed away.
Smith’s fortunate escape could prove to be a turning point for Australia in this critical match. In the world of cricket, where even the slightest touch on the stumps doesn’t always dislodge the bails, fans can only marvel at the game’s unpredictable charm.
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