Border Gavaskar Trophy: How Labuschagne and Smith set up Shubman Gill for dismissal?

Four matches into the series, the Border Gavaskar Trophy has emerged as the platform to stage India's Test struggles. From underwhelming performances to shocking upheavals, the visitors have experienced it all over the course of the five-match series. Australia, meanwhile, is capitalizing on it all as they attempt to reclaim the BGT after a long extended wait of a decade. A glimpse of the notorious Aussies setting up an Indian batter was witnessed early on Day 1 of the final match. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, part of Australia's slip cordon, sledged their way into badgering Shubman Gill's focus. Batting at 20, Gill reacted to the constant chirping and walked away on the very next delivery as India lost its third wicket in the first session.

Border Gavaskar Trophy: Steve Smith rattles Shubman Gill in opening session of the Sydney Test

Australia is having a gala time in the Border Gavaskar Trophy as India fights several demons down under. The Boxing Day Test culminated in the Kangaroos finally gaining a 2-1 lead in the series. Meanwhile, as India faced upheavals within the camp, the hosts seemed to have gone from strength to strength as they arrived in Sydney for the final BGT Test. The SCG pitch welcomed Indian batters with significant spice as Mitchell Starc and Scott Hazlewood exploited the favorable conditions. Jasprit Bumrah, leading the side in this match as Rohit Sharma "opted out," elected to bat first in Sydney. However, the Indian top order molded the decision to reflect poorly as they departed cheaply.

KL Rahul, reclaiming the opening spot, departed after scoring just 4 runs as he handed a delivery by Starc into the hands of Sam Konstas at square leg. Yashasvi Jaiswal followed suit as he edged a delivery by Scott Boland to Webster at the third slip. With Jaiswal failing to replicate his Boxing Day Test heroics, India reeled at 17 for 2 in the opening session. Shubman Gill, earning his spot back in the team, provided a semblance of stability after Jaiswal's dismissal. While not reaching half-century scores, Gill had made promising starts in the previous BGT Tests. However, once again failing to convert his start, Gill was rattled by the Kangaroos at the SCG.

Sensing the threat Gill might pose, the Australian cordon tried their luck by sledging the young Indian batter. The chirping from the likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Sam Konstas grew louder as lunch approached. As Gill prepared to face Nathan Lyon, Smith exclaimed that the batter taking so much time was "bullshit," urging Gill to play with, "Oi, let's play!"

This is where Gill retorted and seemingly lost his focus in the game. The 25-year-old shot back at Smith, "You take your time, Smithy. No one is stopping you." Labuschagne joined in as he and Smith repeated Gill's words in unison, attempting to rile up the Indian batter further. Their efforts, though notorious, proved successful as Gill was dismissed on the very next ball. 

AUSTRALIA GOT THE WICKET IN THE FINAL BALL OF THE SESSION 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JICZBtbgdk

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 3, 2025

Gill, charging at the next delivery from Lyon, nicked it with the edge of his bat, and the ball landed in Smith's hands at gully. Successfully executing his plan to dismiss Gill, Smith followed the catch with an energetic celebration directed at the young batter. On what turned out to be the last ball before lunch, Gill departed for a score of 20 off 64 balls. Meanwhile, Australia managed to reduce India to 57 for 3 at the stroke of the first break. The hosts continued their dominant performance with the ball in the following session, as Virat Kohli once again nicked an outside-the-off-stump delivery from Boland. With only Rishabh Pant providing some resistance with his 40-run knock that included enduring eight body blows, India was bundled out for 185 runs on Day 1 of the last Border Gavaskar Trophy fixture.