India gave a strong reply to Australia ‘s first innings total of 451, making 120 losing KL Rahul the only wicket. On a pitch which surprised everyones expectations, the Aussies captain Steve Smith once again led by example, remaining 178 not out, while Glen Maxwell also scored his maiden Test hundred. Except Cummins, who is playing after five years, none of the Australian bowlers could make any impact.
Smith and Maxwell started the day confidently, though the later was a bit lucky, beaten on couple of occasions and once he almost looked like getting out. In the end Maxwell did get to his first hundred, but couldn’t capitalise on getting to a big score. After his dismissal Wade gave the captain good company and when he was around it appeared the tourists would get past 500 easily. But Jadeja once again became a thorn in Aussies flesh, running through the lower order. Smith ran out of company to remain 178 not out. He really was pretty impressive once again. India started positively with Rahul being aggressive from the beginning. But just before the end of days play he got dismissed to a beauty from Cummins. Tomorrow India should bat carefully to get a big first innings total.
