- By Namrata Vijay
- Sun, 15 Dec 2024 10:17 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs AUS 3rd Test: Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, who are currently two of the best players of this sport have been eyeing each other's record for nearly 10 years now. It should be noted here that Kohli's brilliant batting prowess overpowered his fielding skills as was seen in the third Test at the Gabba.
Kohli is considered one of the best slip fielders of the current generation and it was quite evident when he took catches to help the team dismiss Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne. He took two stunning catches and with this, he has surpassed his Australian counterpart, Steve Smith.
Kohli, who took Labuschagne's catch has now taken 70 catches against Australia and that is the most by any non-wicket-keeper player in all the formats.
Most catches are taken against one opposition:
| Player | Opposition | Catches |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | England | 76 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | England | 72 |
| Allan Border | England | 71 |
| Virat Kohli | Australia | 70 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Pakistan | 68 |
Steve Smith is currently the table topper of this list as he has taken 76 catches against arch-rival England. The legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene is lying at the second position after taking 72 catches against England and former Australian cricketer Allan Border is at the fourth position.
Kohli is also in the fourth position as he has taken 70 catches against the Pat Cummins-led side. He is also inching closer towards Steve Smith's historic fielding record in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia 104/3 at lunch
The hosts started their innings on the second day cautiously but Jasprit Bumrah dismantled their batting lineup as he dismissed batters like Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney. He bowled brilliantly with his lines and lengths and gave the Men in Blue the much-needed breakthrough.
Labuschagne and Steve Smith were trying to build a partnership before Kohli took the catch and got the former batter out. But after that, Smith then stitched a partnership of a few runs with Travis Head. Both these batters are looking in good touch currently since Head is in sublime form and helped the hosts score 104/3 till lunch.