Cricket Fraternity Rallies Behind Crestfallen Steve Smith After His Emotional Apology

The bigger they are, the harder they fall. But, none of the cricket pundits or the fans could have possibly predicted Steve Smith's reign as Australia's captain to end on such a note. Scrutinised in the media, hounded by cameras, devastated, broken and crippled by shame; this was definitely not the man who was previously compared to Australian great Donald Bradman. This time last week, Smith's biggest worries were probably the overturning of Kagiso Rabada's suspension, his struggling form and tackling the might of AB de Villiers. But, today, he would rather see himself get consumed with those problems than the mess he finds himself in. The job he covets is gone, so too the chance to wear the baggy green for at least one year - a significant amount of time to finish someone's career. Cricket was more than a game to Smith and this is more than a professional disaster - something that was thoroughly visible throughout his emotional press conference in Sydney. Smith's tearful apology in front of media helped trigger the resignation of coach Darren Lehmann and further prompted calls to rein in criticism which has now verged on hysterical during a week full of emotions for Australian cricket. And, joining the ever-growing chorus, Indian cricketers, too, rallied behind the tainted trio in these dark times. Gautam Gambhir gave his opinion on the ball-tampering scandal in a series of tweets defending Smith and David Warner while condemning their actions on third day's play at the Newlands. I may be getting emotional but @stevesmith49 doesn't look to me a cheat. Don't know about u but I see in him a desperate leader trying to win a Test match for his country, his team. Yes, indeed, his methods were questionable but let's not label him corrupt #BallTamperingScandal pic.twitter.com/xOxAM45QXM — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 29, 2018 Feel sorry for @stevesmith49 dad (in pic) other family members. Hope media n Aussie public go easy on them as families can be soft targets. More than d ban living wid this feeling of being called a cheat is a bigger punishment. #BallTamperingRow pic.twitter.com/L2sV8BgWAH — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 29, 2018 While cricket needs to be corruption-free but feel sanctions on Aussies bit harsh. Are @stevesmith49 & @davidwarner31 paying for revolt for pay hike? History has it administrators deride those who standup for players' cause. Classic case: Ian Chappell #BallTampering #StevenSmith — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 29, 2018 On the other hand, Indian opener Rohit Sharma, too, came out in support of Smith after watching the video of him being escorted at the airport and his recent press conference where he apologised for his mistakes with tears in his eyes. pic.twitter.com/w7LX6a2EYU — Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) March 29, 2018 Here's a look at how the cricket fraternity offered support to Smith in the lowest of lows of his career: 'Good people make mistakes' .. I honestly think Steve Smith & Cam Bancroft are decent guys who had a moment of madness .. they deserve a 2nd chance and hopefully get the right support around them now .. Takes a lot guts to do what they did today .. — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 29, 2018 Hope in time I can earn forgiveness says Steve Smith. He has already got mine. Cricketers have done worse & never admitted their guilt.#StevenSmith — Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 29, 2018 At least Steve smith has the courage to admit like a man but absolutely gutted to see Steve smith breaking down @ the press conference & also they way people treating him @ Airport & in Australia its sad .. leave that poor chap alone now .. — Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 29, 2018 Absolutely disgraceful to everyone there.. can't treat Steve smith like this @stevesmith49... u all are crazy pic.twitter.com/zGXgFWL9PP — Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) March 29, 2018 Faf on having reached out to Steve Smith. “I did send him a text... You don't want to see guys go through that stuff, so I sent a message of support saying he'll get through this... There is a lot of respect between us.” #ProteaFire #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/FevBw1SBqb — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 29, 2018