IND v AUS, 3rd Test, Day 1 Review: Smith smashes 19th century, Australia in command

For the very first time in international cricket, the hometown of former Indian captain MS Dhoni, Ranchi got ready to host it’s first ever Test match between two heavyweights of the game, India and Australia. After what happened in the Bengaluru Test, the gap for more than a week was perhaps ideal for both the teams ahead of the must-win encounter for both of them.

Aussie captain Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat. Openers David Warner and Matt Renshaw walked out in the middle and got used the pitch pretty quickly. Warner began with a boundary of Ishant Sharma in the opening over and Renshaw followed it up with a couple more in the next 2 overs. Boundaries came thick and fast from the bat of Renshaw as Australia raced to 44/0 in the e8th over.

The first breakthrough eventually came in the 10th over when David Warner chipped a full toss straight to Ravindra Jadeja of his own bowling. It was a nothing delivery and the southpaw was simply gutted with his lapse in concentration. In came captain Steve Smith and he looked in no discomfort what so ever from the word go.

With Renshaw, the duo ticked along the scoreboard with the occasional singles and doubles. Australia lost their 2nd wicket in the 23rd over when speedster Umesh Yadav induced an outside edge off the bat of Matt Renshaw which was safely taken by Virat Kohli in the slip cordon. Shaun Marsh walked out in the middle at the fall of Renshaw’s wicket.

The southpaw departed soon as he inside-edged a delivery from Ravichandran Ashwin straight onto his pads which was brilliantly taken by Cheteshwar Pujara fielding at the short leg position. Peter Handscomb played some delightful shots to begin his innings and with Smith, the duo played out the remaining overs before lunch to take Australia’s score to 109/3 in 30 overs.

Australia battled hard in the 2nd session and lost just a solitary wicket with captain Steve Smith again being the star for the visitors. Handscomb and Smith began well with both looking in complete control but in the 43rd over, Handscomb fell to a brilliant delivery from Umesh Yadav which came in tailing back and struck him on the boot. It was a brilliant delivery and there was no hesitation in the umpire’s mind in ruling the decision in favour of the home side.

Making a comeback after nearly 3 years, Glenn Maxwell walked out in the middle to join his captain in the middle. He was beaten a few times but the swashbuckling all-rounder battled hard and remained unbeaten at tea. Smith rotated the strike along with Smith and the Australian score neared the 200 mark. Meanwhile, India also lost a review when they went upstairs of a no ball from Ishant Sharma. It remains to be seen whether they get it back as the onfield umpire picked up the no ball.

Australia carried on from where they left in the 2nd session and went on to finish the day’s play in a commanding position. The duo of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell batted exceptionally well and stitched together an unbeaten partnership to take Day 1 honours.

Smith went on to complete his 19th Test century in the 83rd over of Murali Vijay and his sedate celebrations proved that the job was not done yet. Maxwell took on the Indian bowlers and reached his half-century in the 74th over by smashing Ravindra Jadeja straight over his head for a big six. Both the batsmen were hardly troubled by any of the bowlers despite giving their heart out.

With the score one less than 300, Australia will look to consolidate their position of strength on Day 2 and go on to make a really very big score. On the other hand, early wickets will be the order of the day for India on the opening session of the 2nd day.

Brief Scores 

Australia 299/4 in 90 overs (Steve Smith 117*, Glenn Maxwell 82*, Matt Renshaw 44 Umesh Yadav 2/63)