[Watch] Virat Kohli riles up Sydney crowd with 'Sandpaper' gesture after Steve Smith's dismissal on Day 5 of 5th BGT 2024-25 Test

India's acting captain Virat Kohli was at his animated best as he mocked the Australian crowd with the 'sandpaper' gesture after the wicket of Steve Smith on Day 5 of the fifth and final Test in Sydney. With one run needed to complete the historic 10,000-mark in Tests, Smith edged a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna to Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully.

Following his dismissal, Kohli, at slips, turned to the crowd and displayed his empty pockets, referring to the infamous sandpaper scandal Smith was involved in during Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa. Smith was stripped of captaincy and suspended from international cricket for 12 months following the ball-tampering incident.

Here is a video clipping of Kohli's act, shared by Cricket Australia's X handle:

Coming to the all-important Sydney Test, Smith's dismissal was just the tonic Team India needed in their defense of 162.

The champion batter was dismissed for a 9-ball 4 as Australia slipped to 58/3 in 10 overs, requiring a further 104 runs for victory. Meanwhile, Kohli endured a match to forget, with the bat, scoring only 23 runs across the two innings.

It brought to an end a dismal Australian tour for the Indian great as he finished with only 190 runs at an average of under 24 in five Tests.

Sydney Test heading towards thrilling finish after Steve Smith's dismissal

Australia v India - Men's 5th Test Match: Day 3 - Source: Getty

The fifth and final India-Australia Test at Sydney hung in the balance at lunch on Day 3 with the hosts on 71/3 in 13 overs.

After bowling India out early in the day, the Aussies began their run-chase of 162 in style at 39/0 in the 4th over. However, Prasidh Krishna led India's comeback with three quick wickets to reduce Australia to 58/3 in 10 overs.

With Australia leading the series 2-1, the result of the Test holds much significance, with the winner clinching the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Should Australia emerge victorious, they will also qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final to join South Africa, thereby eliminating India from contention.