Steve Smith and Pat Cummins in a Frame
This aggressive mindset reflected Australia’s old-school approach. But what made Smith say that? What was happening in the match that led to such a moment? Let’s explore the full story behind this intense incident between Australia and India.
The rivalry between India and Australia has always been at the top, and in the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when the series was tied at 1-1, the Indian team handed over the debut cap to Kuldeep Yadav. During the fourth Test in Dharamshala, a fiery moment unfolded, revealing the intense competition. Kuldeep, a young wrist spinner, shared a startling incident on the show “What The Duck,” hosted by Vikram Sathaye, alongside his teammate Yuzvendra Chahal.
Kuldeep made an impressive debut, taking four wickets in Australia’s first innings, troubling their batsmen with his spin and when he came out to bat, he faced a tough challenge. Former Australian captain Steve Smith, eager to disrupt Kuldeep’s rhythm, instructed fast bowler Pat Cummins to target him with aggressive bowling.
According to Kuldeep, Smith told Cummins to “bowl in his ribs” to hurt him and stop him from bowling his tricky wrong’uns. Cummins followed through, delivering five or six fierce bouncers aimed at Kuldeep’s body, making it a scary moment for the debutant. Despite the hostile bowling, Kuldeep showed grit. He managed to survive Cummins’ fiery spell and scored 10 runs, a brave effort under pressure and eventually, he was dismissed by spinner Nathan Lyon, but India went on to win the match, clinching the series 2-1.
The 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was the 13th edition of the Test series between India and Australia, held in India. India was led by Virat Kohli, while Australia was captained by Steve Smith and both teams were known for their strong rivalry and competitive spirit and with top players on both sides, the series promised to be a tough and exciting battle between two of the best cricket teams in the world.
Playing the first match of the series on a proper rank turner at the Pune stadium, everyone expected the Indian team to roll over the Australian team, but what happened was a stunning upset. From February 23-25, 2017, Australia crushed India by 333 runs in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Australia batted first, scoring 260 in 94.5 overs and then Matt Renshaw made 68 off 156 balls, and Mitchell Starc smashed 61 off 63 (6 fours, 3 sixes) and Umesh Yadav took 4/32 for India. India’s first innings was a disaster, collapsing to 105 in 40.1 overs.
| Australia vs India, 1st Test at Pune | |
| Australia | India |
| 260 (94.5 overs) | 105 (40.1 overs) |
| Matt Renshaw 68 (156) | KL Rahul 64 (97) |
| Umesh Yadav 4/32 (12 overs) | Steve O’Keefe 6/35 (13.1 overs) |
| 285 (87 overs) | 107 (33.5 overs) |
| Steve Smith 109 (202) | Cheteshwar Pujara 31 (58) |
| Ravichandran Ashwin 4/119 (28 overs) | Steve O’Keefe 6/35 (15 overs) |
| Australia won by 333 runs | |
KL Rahul scored 64 off 97. Steve O’Keefe’s 6/35 ripped through the rest as Virat Kohli (0) and others fell cheaply. Australia’s second innings saw Steven Smith’s 109 off 202 balls anchor them to 285 in 87 overs. Ravichandran Ashwin took 4/119. India faced a daunting 441 to win. Their second innings was even worse, bowled out for 107 in 33.5 overs. Cheteshwar Pujara’s 31 off 58 was the top score, while O’Keefe again starred with 6/35, and Nathan Lyon took 4/53.
India’s batting crumbled as Steve O’Keefe’s match figures of 12/70 earned him Player of the Match. Australia’s spinners outbowled India’s on a pitch tailor-made for spin. With India’s 105 and 107 being their lowest totals of the series. The match ended in three days. It exposed India’s struggles against spin, while Australia’s disciplined bowling.
After trailing 1-0 against Australia, India staged a fierce comeback. The Bangalore Test, a series-defining moment, unfolded from March 4-7, 2017, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. India clinched a 75-run victory, tying the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at 1-1. Batting first, India managed 189 in 71.2 overs, with KL Rahul’s gritty 90 off 205 balls shining. Nathan Lyon’s lethal 8/50 sparked a collapse. Australia replied with 276 in 122.4 overs, anchored by Shaun Marsh’s 66 off 197 and Matt Renshaw’s 60 off 196.
| Australia vs India, 2nd Test at Bangalore | |
| India | Australia |
| 189 (71.2 overs) | 276 (122.4 overs) |
| KL Rahul 90 (205) | Shaun Marsh 66 (197) |
| Nathan Lyon 8/50 (22.4 overs) | Ravindra Jadeja 6/63 (21.4 overs) |
| 274 (97.1 overs) | 112 (35.4 overs) |
| Cheteshwar Pujara 92 (221) | Steve Smith 28 (48) |
| Josh Hazlewood 6/67 (24 overs) | Ravichandran Ashwin 6/41 (12.4 overs) |
| India won by 75 runs | |
Ravindra Jadeja’s 6/63 and Ravichandran Ashwin’s 2/84 kept India in the fight. In their second innings, India made 274 in 97.1 overs, with Cheteshwar Pujara’s 92 off 221 and Ajinkya Rahane’s 52 off 134 setting a competitive total. Josh Hazlewood took 6/67 for Australia. Chasing 188, Australia crumbled to 112 in 35.4 overs. Steven Smith’s 28 off 48 was their best effort, but Ashwin’s 6/41 and Umesh Yadav’s 2/30 sealed the victory.
Tensions flared when Smith, facing an LBW call, looked to the dressing room for review advice. Virat Kohli, backed by the umpires, swiftly intervened, halting any unfair move. KL Rahul, scoring 90 and 51, earned Player of the Match. India’s spinners outperformed Australia’s on a spin-friendly pitch, and Pujara’s determined batting ensured a defendable target.
Now, the series was level at 1-1, with both India and Australia eager to take the lead. The third Test in Ranchi, from March 16-20, 2017, ended in a hard-fought draw, keeping the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series alive. Australia batted first, scoring 451 in 137.3 overs and Steven Smith’s unbeaten 178 off 361 balls and Glenn Maxwell’s 104 off 185 anchored their innings. Ravindra Jadeja took 5/124, and Umesh Yadav grabbed 3/106 and India replied with a massive 603/9 declared in 210 overs.
| Australia vs India, 3rd Test at Ranchi | |
| Australia | India |
| 451 (137.3 overs) | 603/9d (210 overs) |
| Steve Smith 178* (361) | Cheteshwar Pujara 202 (525) |
| Ravindra Jadeja 5/124 (49.3 overs) | Pat Cummins 4/106 (39 overs) |
| 204/6 (100 overs) | |
| Peter Handscomb 72* (200) | |
| Ravindra Jadeja 4/54 (44 overs) | |
| Match Drawn | |
Cheteshwar Pujara’s epic 202 off 525 balls and Wriddhiman Saha’s 117 off 233 powered India’s lead as Pat Cummins took 4/106, and Steve O’Keefe claimed 3/199. Australia’s second innings reached 204/6 in 100 overs, with Peter Handscomb’s unbeaten 72 off 200 and Shaun Marsh’s 53 off 197 ensuring the draw. Jadeja’s 4/54 kept India in the hunt, but time ran out.
Tensions flared when Glenn Maxwell mocked Virat Kohli’s shoulder injury. Kohli hit back sharply when David Warner was dismissed, celebrating his wicket. Cheteshwar Pujara, with his marathon innings, was named Player of the Match. India’s huge first-innings total put pressure on Australia. Handscomb and Marsh’s gritty batting saved the game on a wearing pitch.
For the last match of the series, Virat Kohli was ruled out due to a shoulder injury. Ajinkya Rahane was appointed captain of the Indian team. The fourth Test in Dharamsala, from March 25-28, 2017, saw India clinch an 8-wicket victory, winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1. Australia batted first, scoring 300 in 88.3 overs and Steven Smith’s 111 off 173 balls and David Warner’s 56 off 87 were key, but debutant Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/68 and Umesh Yadav’s 2/69 rattled them.
| Australia vs India, 3rd Test at Ranchi | |
| Australia | India |
| 300 (88.3 overs) | 332 (118.1 overs) |
| Steve Smith 111 (173) | Ravindra Jadeja 63 (95) |
| Kuldeep Yadav 4/68 (23 overs) | Nathan Lyon 5/92 (32.1 overs) |
| 137 (53.5 overs) | 106/2 (23.5 overs) |
| Glenn Maxwell 45 (60) | KL Rahul 51* (76) |
| Ravindra Jadeja 3/24 (18 overs) | Pat Cummins 1/42 (8 overs) |
| India won by 8 wickets | |
India replied with 332 in 118.1 overs. Led by Ravindra Jadeja’s 63 off 95 and KL Rahul’s 60 off 124. Nathan Lyon took 5/92, keeping Australia competitive. Rahane’s 46 off 104 steadied the innings. Australia’s second innings collapsed to 137 in 53.5 overs. Glenn Maxwell’s 45 off 60 was their best. Jadeja’s 3/24 and Ravichandran Ashwin’s 3/29 bowled them out cheaply.
India chased 106 in 23.5 overs, finishing at 106/2. KL Rahul’s unbeaten 51 off 76 and Rahane’s unbeaten 38 off 27 sealed the win. Despite the early wickets of Murali Vijay (8) and Cheteshwar Pujara (0). Jadeja, with 1/57, 63 runs, and 3/24, was Player of the Match and Player of the Series for his 127 runs and 25 wickets.