India v Australia, 3rd Test, Day-2: 5 Talking Points

Its stumps at day two of the third Test match at Ranchi and the match is nicely poised between the two great cricketing nations. Australia posted a 450 plus total riding on centuries by the skipper Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell.

The Australian total was the highest of the series so far as Steve Smith remained unbeaten at the end of the innings. India started their fight back in the right way. India ended the day at 120/1 with a whole lot of batting to follow.

Here are the 5 major talking points from the day’s play:

1. Steve Smith’s daddy hundred

Australian skipper Steve Smith played brilliant innings and remained unbeaten at the crease till the end of the Australian innings. The 27-year-old scored a massive 178* runs off 361 deliveries seeing away both spin and pace. His innings clearly portrayed the kind of form he is in and why he is regarded as one of the best of the generation.

The right-handed batsman looked particularly comfortable against the spinners and struck 17 boundaries en route to his 178. Smith answered all his critics that labelled him as ‘cheat’ for trying to consult the dressing room about using the DRS in an emphatic manner.

2. Glenn Maxwell’s Maiden ton

Steve Smith was not the only batsman in the Australian line-up to hit a ton. Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell too reached the hundred run mark and it was his maiden century in the longest format of the game.

Maxwell partnered his skipper well throughout the time they played together but eventually fell to Ravindra Jadeja at a score of 104. Maxwell’s innings included 9 boundaries and two biggies as the Aussie batted at a strike rate of 56.22. The right hander’s innings was crucial because no other batsmen could support Steve Smith in his fight to post a big total apart from Maxwell. Australia posted a 450 plus score, courtesy, the two tons by Smith and Maxwell.

3. Ravindra Jadeja’s five-for

Indian all rounder Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the highest wicket taker in the first innings as he picked up five Australian wickets including that of Glenn Maxwell who was looking solid at the crease.

Jadeja halted the all important partnership between Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell who were handling the Indian bowlers quite comfortably at a point of time. With the five wickets Jadeja took his tally this season to 63 which is only second to Ravichandran Ashwin as far as most wickets in a single season in India is concerned. Jadeja also produced two wickets in an over by dismissing Mathew Wade and Pat Cummins which helped India clear up Australia’s tail faster.

4. Indian openers start strong

The two Indian openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay started the Indian fight back pretty strongly as both got off to a solid start. The opening stand between the two players was 91 before KL Rahul fell to Pat Cummins at a score of 67.

However Vijay is still going strong at 42 as India ended the day at 120/1. The stakes were high for the Indian openers who failed to deliver in the first two tests and they replied back in style. There is still a long way to go in the innings but the India has definitely got the right kind of start they were looking for.

5. Virat Kohli’s Injury

Another important talking point of the day has been the update about the Indian skipper’s injury which he had picked up on day 1 of the third Test at Ranchi. The Indian team management has confirmed that the injury is entirely external and Virat can come out to bat anywhere in the innings.

The 28-year-old is currently recovering from a shoulder strain and people can see him at his normal position too if needed. The BCCI have also discarded all the rumours of Virat missing the fourth Test due to the injury which is clearly a huge news for the fans.