NEW DELHI: In the fiercely contested 2017 Border Gavaskar Trophy series, Steve Smith captained Australia against India. Despite Australia’s ultimate 1-2 loss in the four-match series, Smith emerged as the leading run-scorer, amassing an impressive 499 runs, including three centuries, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.

However, the series is most notably remembered for the infamous ‘brain fade’ incident involving Smith during the second Test in Bengaluru. In a pivotal moment of Australia’s second innings, Smith was adjudged leg before wicket (LBW) off a delivery from Umesh Yadav. After a brief discussion with his batting partner, Peter Handscomb, Smith glanced towards the dressing room seeking advice on whether to use the Decision Review System (DRS) to challenge the umpire’s decision.

This act of seeking external guidance is strictly prohibited under cricket regulations, which mandate that players on the field must make review decisions independently. Indian captain Virat Kohli immediately protested against this breach of protocol, prompting the on-field umpires to step in and deny Smith the opportunity to review his dismissal.

India capitalized on this dramatic turn of events, securing a thrilling 75-run victory after Australia collapsed to 112 all out. This win leveled the series at 1-1, setting the stage for an intensely competitive remainder of the series.

The incident sparked widespread controversy, with headlines focusing on Kohli’s accusation that Smith had abused the DRS system. Kohli suggested that Smith’s glance towards the dressing room might not have been an isolated incident, although no concrete evidence was provided to support this claim.

Following the match, Smith conceded that his actions were a result of a “brain fade,” acknowledging it as a momentary lapse in judgment. This controversy heightened the already palpable tension between the two teams in what was a fiercely contested series.

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