WATCH: Ball flicks stumps but bails don’t fall, Steve Smith survives in Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal

Steve Smith survived by the skin of his teeth in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final clash between India and Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in Dubai, on Tuesday, March 4.

The incident happened in the last ball of the 14th over as Axar Patel bowled a delivery that came in with the arm. Smith tried to hit the ball down the ground but only managed a thick inside edge onto his pad. The ball rolled back gently and hit the base of the off-stump. However, the bails didn't come off. Wicketkeeper KL Rahul had a great view of the event as India were ever so close to picking up their third wicket.

Steve Smith has looked in good touch so far, scoring 23 off 31 deliveries on a pitch that hasn't been ideal for free-flowing batting. The ball has turned and stopped on the batters. Smith's wicket is going to be key as he has the ability to score runs in tough conditions. He is also a fine player of spin and can keep the scoreboard ticking through the middle overs.

Check out Damien Fleming's reaction to Steve Smith incident here:

Damien Fleming@bowlologist

Ball hits the stumps but damn Those Zing bails are heavy ✊ Smithy 😳 #championstrophy2025

03:38 PM · Mar 04, 2025

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Steve Smith registers half-century off 68 balls

Smith made good use of the lucky escape as he scored an important half-century off 68 deliveries in the 26th over. This is his 35th fifty in ODI cricket and his eighth versus India in 27 innings. He also has five centuries against the Men in Blue. Australia have lost the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis.

Alex Carey has joined Smith in the middle and this duo would want to set things up nicely for Glenn Maxwell, who can explode in the death overs. Smith will look to bat the 50 overs, allowing the others to bat around him.