SYDNEY, Jan 8: Steve Smith’s typically gutsy hundred was neutralised by Ravindra Jadeja’s four-wicket haul and rookie Shubman Gill’s fluent half-century as a resolute India reached 96/2 after dismissing Australia for 338 on the second day of the third Test here on Friday.
Jadeja emerged as India’s man with the golden arm on Friday, claiming four Australia wickets and then producing a moment of sheer brilliance to prove why he is considered one of the best fielders in contemporary cricket. The highlight of Jadeja’s performance, however, was his rocket throw which ended Smith’s stellar knock of 131.
The Indian bowlers, especially Jadeja and the ever-dependable Jasprit Bumrah, were brilliant with their length on a flat SCG deck where Smith along with Marnus Labuschagne raised visions of a 450-plus total by taking the side to 206 for 2 at one stage.
Then it was the calm and collective Gill, who was assured during those cover drives off Nathan Lyon and equally breathtaking while presenting his forward defence to Pat Cummins.
He and Rohit Sharma added 70 in 27 overs but more importantly set the stage for skipper Ajinkya Rahane (5 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (9 not out) to cash in on the batting-friendly conditions on the third day.
Despite the cloud cover for the better part of the day, there was no swing on offer and lack of moisture meant that there wasn’t any turn or for that matter, even some movement off the pitch.
The Australian attack looked more insipid than ever and Rohit, playing his first game in nearly two months, did all the hard work for nearly two hours before failing to check an uppish drive that was pouched by the bowler.
But it was a day when India had two openers, who were both ready to pull the fast bowlers during their opening spells and dominate Lyon with precise footwork.
Both frittered away good starts but in broader context, provided the launchpad which the team failed to get in the first two Tests.
The first two sessions could be ideally described as fascinating with Australia getting 172 runs in just under 51 overs, largely due to some positive batting by Smith, Labuschagne and down the order Mitchell Starc.
But Jadeja and Bumrah, especially with the second new ball, were on target even as debutant Navdeep Saini (2/65) leaked a few runs due to sheer inexperience.
The Sydney track didn’t have much help for the slow bowlers in the first two days but that didn’t deter Jadeja from denying Labuschagne a deserving hundred.
Smith completed his half-century in the very next over after Labuschagne’s dismissal, off Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been well below his best during the five sessions that India had been on field.
The Indian bowlers continued bowling in straight lines with a heavy leg-side field that they have been employing since the second Test match.
What changed for Australia was the understanding of the opposition strategy better as they showed aggressive intent. (Agencies)
