Smith's Costly Miss: How a Full Toss Changed Australia's Fate Against India

In cricket, small moments can make a huge difference, and Steven Smith's dismissal against India was one such turning point. The experienced Australian batter, who was well set at 73 in the 37th over, saw his innings come to an abrupt end when he misjudged a full toss from Mohammed Shami. Instead of sending it to the boundary, Smith missed it completely, and the off stump was shattered. This moment shifted the momentum, paving the way for India's dominance in the match.

Australia’s Struggle to Capitalize

At 37 overs, Australia looked in a decent position to push towards a total around 300. However, Smith’s wicket led to a slowdown. In the remaining 75 balls, the team managed only 66 runs. Although Alex Carey put up a fight with his 61 off 57 balls, the lack of substantial partnerships in the later overs hurt Australia’s chances of posting a competitive total.

Reflecting on his dismissal, Smith acknowledged the mistake: “I missed a full toss. It wasn’t ideal... I lost my wicket at probably a crucial stage. Had I batted a little deeper, we could have potentially got up to near 300.”

Missed Opportunities in the Field

It wasn’t just the batting where Australia faltered. Their fielding performance also left much to be desired. Dropped catches proved costly, with Rohit Sharma getting two lifelines and Virat Kohli being dropped when he was on 51. With a modest total of 264 on the board, Australia needed a near-perfect effort in the field, but their missed chances allowed India to dictate the game.

Smith summed up the team’s disappointment, saying: “When you’re trying to build pressure, you need to take those chances. But that’s the game. No one means to drop a catch.”

What Could Have Been

The pitch at the venue was one of the most batting-friendly in the tournament, and Smith admitted that Australia had opportunities to push beyond 300. “We were probably just one wicket down too many at a few stages. If we extended one of those partnerships a little bit, we’re probably getting up to 290-300 and putting a bit of pressure on the scoreboard.”

While Australia put up a respectable fight, their mistakes proved costly in a high-stakes match. For a team that thrives on big moments, this game was a harsh reminder that even a single missed full toss can change the course of a match.

Final Thoughts

Cricket is a game of fine margins, and Australia learned that the hard way. While Smith’s dismissal wasn’t the only reason for their defeat, it was undoubtedly a key moment that allowed India to take control. With the Champions Trophy heating up, Australia will need to tighten their batting and fielding to avoid similar heartbreaks in the future.

Reference from:-https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/champions-trophy-2025-i-missed-a-full-toss-smith-rues-australia-s-missed-opportunities-1475956