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Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah added another feather to his cap during Day 1 of the first Test against Australia in Perth by dismissing Steve Smith for a golden duck. With this feat, Bumrah equalled the legendary Dale Steyn, becoming one of the few bowlers to dismiss Smith for a golden duck in a Test match.
Smith Falls to Bumrah’s Precision
In the 7th over of the innings, Bumrah bowled a delivery that nipped back sharply, trapping Smith plumb in front of the stumps. Smith, caught completely off guard, couldn’t even get off the mark, resulting in just his second golden duck in Test cricket.
The first instance of Smith falling for a golden duck was back in 2014 when Dale Steyn dismissed him with a lethal inswinger during a Test match in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
Bumrah Shines Amid India’s Struggles
Bumrah, leading the Indian side, delivered a stellar performance, bagging three wickets in his opening spell.
- His victims included Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, dismantling Australia’s top order.
- Later, debutant Harshit Rana chipped in with the wicket of Travis Head, cleaning him up with a delivery that crashed into the off-stump.
Australia was reeling at 42/5 at stumps, responding to India’s modest first-innings total of 150 runs.
Smith’s Duck Record
Steve Smith, one of the greatest Test batters of this era, now has 11 ducks in 196 Test innings. While rare, these dismissals highlight how even the best can falter against quality bowling.
India’s Batting Collapse
Earlier in the day, India’s batting lineup faltered on a pace-friendly Perth surface. Debutant Nitish Reddy was the lone warrior, scoring a resilient 41 runs, the highest for the team.
With the Indian bowlers stepping up and Bumrah leading from the front, the visitors now have a fighting chance to stay competitive in the match.
Key Stats
- Smith’s Golden Ducks: 2 (Dale Steyn in 2014, Jasprit Bumrah in 2024)
- India’s Score: 150 all out
- Australia’s Score: 42/5 at stumps
The match promises more drama as Day 2 unfolds with both teams battling hard on a challenging surface.
