Sehwag takes a dig at Steve Smith for scuffing Pant's Batting Guard, hailing Team India effort

Virender Sehwag: Former Indian star opener Virender Sehwag took a dig at former Australian captain Steve Smith after he was caught scuffing Rishabh Pant's batting guard on Day 5 of the third Test on Monday which resulted in a draw. Smith was seen scuffing up Rishabh Pant’s batting guard at the crease on the fifth and final day of the third Test played in Sydney. Due to which Smith has faced criticism on the social media platforms for this cheap act at Sydney Cricket Ground.

After skipper Rahane's dismissal, the duo got India off to a great start on the final day of the third Test at SCG that resulted in a draw. The Indian southpaw played a counter-attacking 97 along with Cheteshwar Pujara's gritty 77 off 205 balls followed by Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari's relentless resistance which inspired India to a historical draw to keep the Border-Gavaskar series levelled with 1-1. 

Sehwag said he was proud of Ajinkya Rahane led Team India's efforts and took a dig at the Aussies for failing with all their tricks. Sharing a video of Smith scuffing Pant's batting guard.

''Tried all tricks including Steve Smith trying to remove Pant's batting guard marks from the crease. Par kuch kaam na aaya. Khaaya peeya kuch nahi, glass toda barana. But I am so so proud of the effort of the Indian team today. Seena chonda ho gaya yaar,'' tweeted Sehwag.

Pic1 - Till Rishabh Pant was at the crease.
Pic2- Pujara, Vihari and Ashwin.

And the combination of these 2 made it a fantastic Test Match. Feel so so proud of the Team,
Pant showed why he needs to b treated differently & d grit showed by Vihari, Pujara & Ashwin was unbelievable pic.twitter.com/aU3qN6O3JF

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2021

During the Drinks break on Day 5, Smith stirred controversy after he was spotted scratching and scuffing the spot where Pant had set his batting guard. The 23-year-old left-hander seen asking the umpire for a fresh guard before play resumed again. Chasing a stiff 407-run total, when India needed 309 to get on the final day with eight wickets in hand, not many gave India a chance in the Sydney Test.

Also Read - Vihari-Ashwin duo pulled off an Enthralling DRAW, series still stands at 1-1

After Pant and Pujara's fell, injured Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin held the fort strongly and went on 'blockathon' to help India salvage a draw. While Ashwin scored 39 off 128 balls, Vihari faced 161 deliveries for his steady 28 to help India post 334/5 in pursuit of the 407-run target and save the Sydney Test. The series stands level at 1-1 with the fourth Test scheduled to be played in Brisbane from Jan 15.