Steve Smith’s Lighthearted Dig: Labels ICC ‘Less Powerful’ Than BCCI

When asked to sum up the BCCI, the ICC and Indian cricket in one word each, Australian cricketers were asked and while overall reaction was serious, Steve Smith had a humorous send-off but changed his answer immediately.

Today serves as match practice day for India and Australia ahead of the Boxing Day Test, which is the fourth Test and also the last match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), 2024-25 scheduled to start on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Before the fourth Test, the Australian team’s media session was conducted where each of them was asked to sum their opinion in one word about BCCI, ICC and Indian cricket. As people mentioned numerous times, many responses were diplomatic and joking; however, Steve Smith’s comments made headlines.

It has been in this recent past that the BCCI has emerged as the most influential cricket board in almost all ramification, including the financial aspect.

It was amusing to watch an Australian cricketers-twelve selected players answer the three questions that could be answered in one word: ‘What is BCCI?,’ ‘What is ICC ?’ and ‘Indian cricket?’ While sharing some of the rapid clichés including ‘powerful’ by the Australian captain Pat Cummins, wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and some others, Steve Smith chuckled and called it ‘the powerhouse’. First, said Smith: “I mean, it’s not as powerful.” Then he corrected himself immediately, ” No, no, I can’t say that”. That was a joke.” He then referred to the ICC as the “leaders.”

Here are the one-word responses from the Australian cricketers for BCCI, ICC, and Indian cricket:

Pat Cummins: Big, Big, Big
Travis Head: Rulers, Second, Strong
Usman Khawaja: Strong, ICC, Talented
Nathan Lyon: Big, Boss, Passionate
Glenn Maxwell: Powerful, Boss, Fanatic
Matthew Carey: Powerful, Trophy, Powerful
Steve Smith: Superstar, not as powerful (the last one was tweaked to superpower)

For those who may not know, Steve Smith is often associated with the notorious ‘brain fade’ incident from the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series. During the match, Smith was caught looking towards the dressing room for guidance on whether to use the Decision Review System (DRS) after being given out LBW by the on-field umpire.