Australia recorded a crushing 333 run-win over India on Saturday in the first Test in Pune and took a 1-0 lead in the series. After setting India a daunting target of 441 to win, Australia bowled out Virat Kohli’s men for only 107.
Steven Smith lit up the morning session for Australia, scoring a brilliant 109 to swell Australia’s lead. His team were finally dismissed for 285 but by then, they had already set a daunting target for India.
India were never in the contest and it was their first innings’ wrecker-in-chief who dismantled them. Steve O’Keefe, who took a six-wicket haul in the first innings, took identical figures of 6/35 in the second innings as well to finish with match figures of 12/70. This was Australia’s first win in India in 13 years and it came with the team not being give much of a chance against the world’s No. 1 Test team.
Here are the live updates:
Here’s how the day turned out:
3.09 pm: Only second time after he’s taken over full-time captaincy that Kohli is in the losing captain’s position.
“I’ll take it on my chin. They bowled really well, had men around the bat. Difficult to come back in a Test match after having such poor sessions. Good to see Umesh Yadav’s performance”.
A delighted Steven Smith has come out.
“Knew it would be hard work. Proud of the boys. The guys had really good plans in place. 260 was a good first innings total. We’ve got a well-rounded squad. Incredible performance from O’Keefe. He brought his length back and looked like getting a wicket every ball. He’s worked incredibly hard to get here. This hundred is right up there. I got a bit of a luck... but to get a 100 in the second innings, was very happy.”
The Player of the Match award goes to Steve O’Keefe for figures of 12/70 (best match figures by an Australian bowler in India)
“Great feeling. First innings was a bit of a blur. Good to go 1-0 up, but lots of hard work to do. Enjoyed my experience in Pune...sundar Pune....look forward to Bangalore.”
2.49 pm: Won’t be reached. Lyon ends it. India bowled out for 107. They lose by 333 runs.
Great performance from Australia. Steve Smith and Steve O’Keefe were brilliant but this was a performance built of brilliant support acts. There was Mitchell Starc (with both bat and ball), there was Matt Renshaw who battled health issues (no toilet jokes), there was Nathan Lyon who continuously kept it tight. And don’t forget Peter Handscomb’s brilliant catching.
India? Well, their bowling could have been a little better. Their catching could have been a LOT better. Their batting can’t be worse. They collapsed for 7/11 in the first innings and 6/21 in the second. Let’s just leave it there.
November 2004, Nagpur was the last time Australia beat India in India. After 13 years, Australia outclass India in all departments.
— Bibhash Chatterjee (@bibhash1990) February 25, 2017
Bright side for India - beating their first-innings score. #IndvAus
— Jaideep Vaidya (@jaideepjourno) February 25, 2017
Cricket.com.au is really enjoying life.
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 25, 2017
Truly exceptional performance from Smith.
When the going gets tough, you sometimes see exceptional feats. In Pune you saw that from Steve Smith.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2017
2.47 pm: Good, India get past 105. Well done. Next target, Steve Smith’s 109.
The return of the Renshaw jokes.
Renshaw can now go to the toilet for the next 2 days without judgment #IndvAus
— Sanjay Patel (@spat106) February 25, 2017
2.42 pm: Right, this is disgraceful stuff from India. Sure, they didn’t have a chance but they’re in danger of being bowled out for below 105. For heaven’s sake, this is the world’s No. 1 Test team, a team in prime form. How can they play this badly?
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India need 8 runs to beat Steve Smith. #IndvAus
— Alankrith Shankar (@AlanzArena) February 25, 2017
That would be sad. It’s a nice stadium, but it needs some shade!
They will never play another test match in Pune. Never, ever, ever again. #IndvAus #AUSvIND
— AJ Mithen (@AJMithen) February 25, 2017
2.40 pm: Eight down India! Nathan Lyon gets it to straighten and deserves his second wicket! Ravindra Jadeja is bowled! India 102/8. Then gets Ishant Sharma for a duck two balls later. India 102/9
Secret to O’Keefe’s stunning success? Plain simple accuracy.
O'Keefe doing to India what Indian spinners did to all the touring nations. From Kumble to Harbhajan to Ashwin n Jadeja. #INDvAUS
— Uzair Hasan Rizvi (@RizviUzair) February 25, 2017
Schadenfreude is the word, yes?
I've never enjoyed watching a spider get caught in its own net more than what I'm watching in Pune. 😎#itdoesntgetbetterthanthis #INDvAUS
— Simon Hebrides (@SimonHebrides) February 25, 2017
2.31 pm: First over after lunch and O’Keefe just doesn’t stop. This time, he gets Pujara. I think O’Keefe has pretty much won the Man of the Match award here. India 100/7.
Steve O'Keefe is proving a nightmare for India. Stunning bowling by him. Took 12th wicket of him in this match. Removed Pujara.#IndvAus
— M. Muneer Khattak (@MuneerKtk) February 25, 2017
O'Keefe doing to India what Indian spinners did to all the touring nations. From Kumble to Harbhajan to Ashwin n Jadeja. #INDvAUS
— Uzair Hasan Rizvi (@RizviUzair) February 25, 2017
2.14 pm: The point is O’Keefe has been remarkable because he’s just been disciplined. There’s been nothing extraordinary about him. He’s kept it straight, on a beautiful line and lengthy and adjusted his speeds. And just depended on the wicket and it’s got him 11 big wickets.
India's second innings collapse more distressing than in the first: very low in adaptability & improvement, even lower on resolve
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2017
A collapse in one inning is still acceptable. The second collapse clearly indicates a lack of preparation, and maybe complacency.#IndvAus
— BullBull (@DahiiBhalla) February 25, 2017
The most obvious question....
Did anyone in the entire world see this coming?? #INDvAUS
— Stacey Lee (@_Stacey_Lee_) February 25, 2017
2.09 pm: Eleven wickets for O’Keefe in the match. Now gets Wriddhiman Saha out lbw. Was it out? Looked dodgy, but well....India don’t really have reviews left. How bad can it get for India? They’re 99/6, 342 runs away at tea.
Who has two thumbs and has just taken a Test 10-fer... #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/H0td6jBXvJ
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 25, 2017
Kohli leaving arm balls onto off peg. What a day to be alive #IndvAus
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) February 25, 2017
Hey England? Who invited you, ok?
#IndvAus
— Chandan (@sportsbloggerCK) February 25, 2017
Match is between India and Australia
War is on between Warne and Vaughan pic.twitter.com/cJRZrLsXjK
2.05 pm: It’s not looking good for India out there. Cheteshwar Pujara just got dropped by David Warner at leg-slip. Lyon deserved that wicket. But Pujara survives. India 98/5.
How Australia are feeling right now....
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But they still can’t stand the Marsh brothers. So what if they win?
Mitch Starc has scored 78 more runs than @imVkohli - and 40 more than both Marsh brothers combined.
— Sim Robin (@tickbigit) February 25, 2017
#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/YfYeniZ56o
1.53 pm: OUT! Ten wickets in the match for Steve O’Keefe! Ashwin was living dangerously, he reverse-swept a four, played a uppish cover-drive, but is lbw. This time, it was pad first and this time Steven Smith went for the review. India are five down for 89.
Ten wickets for O'keefe in the match already. Who would have predicted it? #IndvAus
— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) February 25, 2017
And they said Australia will miss Zampa in India...
— ZENIA D'CUNHA (@ZENIADCUNHA) February 25, 2017
Steve O'Keefe has already claimed 10 wickets & a lot of Indian egos in Pune...#IndvAus
From what I have seen, Australia's spinners might actually be doing less with the ball and that might be working for them
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2017
1.45 pm: GONE! Rahane’s aggression costs him his wicket. He drives uppishly but straight to cover! Nine wickets in the match for O’Keefe!
Gets worse as Rahane hits ball that stopped on him straight to cover. O'Keefe must want this pitch gift-packed for him: 9 wkts & counting
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2017
There’s also a lot of praise for Steve Smith’s brilliant 109 in the first session:
Calling the Steve Smith hundred the best I have ever seen
— Ed Cowan (@eddiecowan) February 25, 2017
Steve Smith's 109 is one of the finest exhibitions of how to play spin that we've ever seen by a foreign batsman in India.
— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) February 25, 2017
1.41 pm: Rahane gets two boundaries in that over. One was a little streaky, the other one was a much better drive. Good batting. India 67/3.
O’Keefe might have surprised many with his bowling (he’s 8 wickets in the match strong right now), but it may not be that big a surprise. This Reddit thread details his performance in India as part of Australia’s domestic team.
1.39 pm: Steady over from Nathan Lyon. Except for the overthrows. Pujara moves on to 16. India 58/3.
This probably counts as sledging.
And the coach of India says Steve O'Keefe is "Steady" Well done Steady O'Keefe keep it up 👍🏼 #INDvAUS
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) February 25, 2017
1.33 pm: While we’re still recovering from that Kohli brainfade, India have crossed 50. The little things...they count, ok. Pujara looks a lot more solid now. Ajinkya Rahane has got off the mark.
I'm amazed Kohli did not review that #IndvAus
— Jaideep Vaidya (@jaideepjourno) February 25, 2017
Well, that sums it up...
Virat Kohli's Test match: Played at one he should've let go, and let go one he should've played at.#IndvAus
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 25, 2017
Can you detect the underlying glee?
Virat's match aggregate of 13 runs is his 2nd lowest ever at home behind the 3 (1 inns) he scored against WI in Kolkata in Nov 2013 #INDvAUS
— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) February 25, 2017
1.24 pm: Silence. There is so much silence. Virat Kohli just left a straight ball from O’Keefe. It thundered onto the stumps. We’re all a little shocked here. Kohli out for 13. India 47/3.
#IndvAus just walk Kohli. Your goooooonnneeee pic.twitter.com/0429AAIKHM
— Geoff Day (@GeoffDay) February 25, 2017
Stunned silence in Pune as Virat Kohli shoulders arms and is bowled by O'Keefe for 13, India reeling on 3rd day #INDvAUS
— Robert Smith (@OnyaDon) February 25, 2017
Kohli leaved a ball, and got bowled? One must be kidding ? No actually he made a humongous mistake. #INDvAUS
— Afraz (@cricketdotme) February 25, 2017
1.19 pm: Hazlewood into the attack. To get reverse? Hits Pujara awkwardly on his fingers but Pujara gets his own back by cutting him for four off the last ball. India 45/2.
Here’s the ball-tracking on that lbw shout. All three reds.
Kohli gets a lifeline!
— TheField (@thefield_in) February 25, 2017
The Steve O'Keefe appeal that Steve Smith decided to not review.#IndvAus https://t.co/4bJE1SY28Z pic.twitter.com/hXBpM29h4g
This tweet sums up both the team’s attitude towards DRS reviews. A bit like foreign diplomacy, yes?
Kohli survives! Indians not thinking before taking a review, Australians thinking too much before taking a review. #IndvAus https://t.co/mFriZaqJTC
— ️Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 25, 2017
1.15 pm: Brilliant. That settles the nerves a little. A flowing cover-drive from Kohli for four. India 41/2 after 15 overs.
He might be the world’s greatest leg-spinner but not everyone likes his commentary:
How much nonsense Shane Warne talks. #INDvAUS
— Anish Anand (@testbowler) February 25, 2017
More on that DRS review that wasn’t.
Pad First #IndvAus https://t.co/uvgGgXMh3B
— emrn bichu (@emrnbichu) February 25, 2017
1.10 pm: Did Australia have Kohli and not know it? Steve O’Keefe certainly thought so: Kohli lunged forward, O’Keefe thought it was pad first and then bat but only he did. Steve Smith wasn’t convinced, didn’t go for the review. Replays show it might have actually been pad first.
Turns out they did. Ball tracking shows it would have hit the stumps.
Kohli survives.
— Sheikh Usman (@SheikhMdUsman) February 25, 2017
Smith what have you done. #IndvAus
On replay it shows it was pad first, ball tracking shows all red! Australia miss out on getting Kohli! That could be costly! #INDvAUS
— CricketAus Fan (@CricketAustFan) February 25, 2017
This is pretty much the big partnership for India. Get one of these two out and you’re into Rahane who’s not been in the best of form and then the lower middle-order of Saha, Ashwin, Jadeja and Jayant Yadav.
Only one half century partnership by India yet in match. Best pair in the middle. Pujara & Kohli must show wherewithal & put up fight
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2017
Ahh, you wish....
Calm down, guys. @VVSLaxman281 is at No 5 #IndvAus
— Jaideep Vaidya (@jaideepjourno) February 25, 2017
1.05 pm: Lyon is getting sharp turn and bounce. In fact, he’s getting it to rip off in a way Ashwin wasn’t able to do in the morning. That’s a bit of a concern for India.
Earlier in the day, Umesh Yadav took a catch, a good one. But he then ran over the boundary line. Err...
As for Lyon, his best bowling figures (7/94) have come against India...
1.00 pm: No nerves from Kohli here. He looks, like he always does, up for it. Good intent in defence, running as hard as he always does. He’s a fighter. And he has a fight on his hands, doesn’t he? India 23/2.
More DRS jokes.
Breaking: India appoint Shane Watson as their DRS coach. #IndvAus
— Jaideep Vaidya (@jaideepjourno) February 25, 2017
12.52 pm: On the bright side, Virat Kohli has got a run. So he won’t get a pair...
Pujara hasn’t got off the mark yet. India 18/2.
India now regretting asking Shane Watson for tips on how/when to review. #INDvAUS
— Daniel Connell (@DanielC0nnell3) February 25, 2017
@ICC @BCCI Whole point of #DRS is to validate umpire decisions on field. Umpires call just invalidates the whole concept. #IndvAus
— Swapnil Kulkarni (@coolsvap) February 25, 2017
Suggestions to use DRS better....
Only way to get batsman to use DRS for howlers rather than strategically is to reduce to 1 per 80 overs. #IndvAus
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) February 25, 2017
12.49 pm: ANOTHER ONE! KL Rahul misses the off-break from Lyon, hit in front, reviews and can’t overturn it! India are 16/2 and in all sorts of trouble.
To make it worse, that’s another review wasted on umpire’s call.
Disaster for India. Both openers gone and both reviews wasted! 2-16 in the 6th #INDvAUS
— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) February 25, 2017
Lots of criticism aimed against Rahul and Vijay:
india have just stuart broaded two of their drs reviews. #mefirst #indvaus
— psm (@foundfoundetc) February 25, 2017
How did India agree to have the Review System for a home test series?#IndvAus
— Nick H (@nickbyname) February 25, 2017
Reckon Harsha Bhogle has a point here. Umpire’s calls are tricky things.
There, use of DRS because a batsman took a chance. Another player may be out on a mistake because no reviews left.That's not what DRS is for
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2017
12.45 pm: O’Keefe into the attack, O’Keefe strikes! Vijay reviews, but it’s another review wasted for India! O’Keefe’s seventh in the match! India 10/1.
That was a close call either way. It was “umpire’s call” on whether it hit the stumps so you can’t really blame Vijay for going for the review.
It remains umpire's call. Vijay out for 2 off 23. Live blog: https://t.co/Fu8BOTQJTE #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/Rjx5L7Cjhq
— FOX SPORTS Cricket (@FOXCricketLive) February 25, 2017
O'Keefe introduced & he makes his presence count by dismissing Vijay. India have used up one review as well. Not good. 🙁 #INDvAUS @Paytm
— SportsNow India (@SportsNowIndia) February 25, 2017
Cmon @CricketAus great start, I can see SOK ending up with 10 for the match #INDvAUS
— Ashley Evans (@AshEvans24) February 25, 2017
12.40 pm: Another one that doesn’t stick. And if we’re being critical to India, need to be critical to Australia as well. Just eludes Handscomb. Shaky start from India 9/0.
12.36 pm: Tight bowling from Australia here. Mitchell Starc has bowled a maiden. Australia really looked pumped up.
True thought. Minus the 90 runs from Starc’s tally and the game does look different.
If there's anything that is haunting India most, it is the 90 runs scored by @mstarc56 . Very very precious those runs. #IndvAus
— Karan Wadekar (@karan_rw) February 25, 2017
12.31 pm: Sharp turn from Nathan Lyon with the new ball and Peter Handscomb drops one. So even Australia can drop, right? India manage to get six off that over...only two from the bat and four byes. India 5/0. We’re not talking about runs required now. Too far away.
Wade shouldn't ever put his hands to his head when a team mate drops a catch. #IndvAus #AUSvIND
— Andrew Carmody (@webmody13) February 25, 2017
Enjoyed Smith's captaincy. Opening with O'Keefe in the first innings + Lyon in the second. Shows great confidence in his spinners. #IndvAus
— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) February 25, 2017
Looking at first over of Lyon, I think India will lose by at least 229 #IndvAus
— Sushil Pasricha (@Sushil_Pasricha) February 25, 2017
12.28 pm: The first over has been safely negotiated by KL Rahul and Murali Vijay. No runs on the board though.
There’s a lot of talk about the pitch but Kartikeya Date says it’s all the invention of cricket writers.
#LikeABoss
Smith's knock on a turning track has batted India out of the game. #LikeABoss #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/X61Fyphpzz
— TheField (@thefield_in) February 25, 2017
12.25 pm: We’re almost about to begin. But here’s one last nod of the hat to Steve Smith:
Oh, for Sehwag....
Need Sehwag to give India a flying start.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) February 25, 2017
Remember what he did in a similar chase nine years ago?
11.55 am: More reactions to enliven the lunch break:
India need 441 in 8 sessions to win 1st Test. Only 5 teams have scored that many in 4th inns of a Test - none of them winners #INDvAUS
— Andrew Ramsey (@ARamseyCricket) February 25, 2017
Aus bowled out, but session splendidly exploited: 142 runs scored, & India have whopping 441 to win. Improbable. But cricket's a funny game!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2017
Highest targets set by Aus in India:
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 25, 2017
542, Nagpur, 2004 - Ind lost
456, Bangalore, 2004 - Ind lost
441, Pune, 2017 - ???#IndvAus
11.45 am: That’s that. Ravindra Jadeja gets a three-wicket haul, O’Keefe edges behind. Australia get 285 and India will need 441 runs to win. That will also be lunch.
Great innings from Steve Smith. And even despite the chances he got (which BCCI really want you remind you about), he fully deserved that century.
Australia fans are happy. Indian fans are still hopeful, mainly because of the amount of time left in this match.
Fantastic performance by the Aussies. Finally seem to be starting to learn how to play an innings that isn't all smash and grab. #INDvAUS
— Thomo (@liamthompson1) February 25, 2017
441 to win... more than 2 days left.. will India score or will Australia make full use of the pitch?? #IndvAus
— Vignesh Sridhar (@svignesh8714) February 25, 2017
11.39 am: Five wickets have gone down in this session which, in theory, should be good for the bowling side. But India have already conceded some 140-odd runs for those five wickets. That has taken the lead up to monumental, record-breaking proportions. And the last wicket is still getting runs. O’Keefe just hit Umesh Yadav for a four to swell the lead to 439 runs.
Hi, Mr Sehwag, by the way.
Suit-Boot waali Batting. India need soojh-boojh waali Batting. First Australia ko all out karo. Lunch reminds of school Recess time#IndvAus pic.twitter.com/FCLR59AZHb
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 25, 2017
Don’t pick on poor Ishant, ok?
Ishant Sharma has bowled 3 overs in this innings. That's 3 too many.#IndvAus
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 25, 2017
11.30 am: Umesh Yadav strikes Nathan Lyon plumb in front! Great skiddy bowling. And what this means is that there won’t be lunch right now. Play will go on for another half-an-hour. Australia 279/9.
There are already some comments being made out Ashwin which is extremely unfair. He’s taken enough wickets in this match. Australia have scored 260 and are 279/9, it’s the batting that has let India down.
Ashwin has conceded way too many runs. #indvsaus
— Savay sen (@SavaySen) February 25, 2017
11.28 am: Lyon swings for the hills, Umesh Yadav takes the catch but runs over the line. Six there. And in case, you didn’t notice, the lead has swelled to 434 now. That’s more than the highest successful chase in the fourth innings (418). Gulp.
Hopelessness and optimism...
This match is certainly out of India's reach unless 2001 Kolkata like miracle happens #IndvAus #INDvsAUS #IndiavsAustralia
— Akbar Ali Major (@akbarmajor) February 25, 2017
With the lead at 434, India will need to break the world record for the highest successful run chase to win the first Test #INDvAUS
— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) February 25, 2017
11.25 am: Five more minutes to go till lunch. Can India bowl Australia out? They are currently 269/8 and lead by 424.
Indian fans are very optimistic people...
my prediction @imVkohli will play the innings of his career in the fourth innings #INDvsAUS , india will surprise many !#IndvAus #Cricket
— Rahul Deo Bharadwaj (@deo26) February 25, 2017
If you missed it, here’s how Wade rode lady luck once, but couldn’t do it twice.
11.19 am: While we congratulate Smith, Starc deserves his own applause. He’s got 91 runs from 94 balls on this pitch and also kickstarted India’s collapse.
Sanjay Manjrekar reminding viewers that Starc has 91 runs from 94 balls on this pitch. MoM in the making. #IndvAus
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) February 25, 2017
@mstarc56 scored 80 plus runs and remove @imVkohli and @cheteshwar1 in 1st innings. As big a contribution as @stevesmith49 . #IndvAus
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) February 25, 2017
And Ravindra Jadeja ticks another record:
Jadeja has completed 100 wickets in India, in 19 Tests - joint 2nd-fastest. #IndvAus
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 25, 2017
11.15 am: Starc goes big again! He loves that shot so much. He plays the slog sweep so well! Goes for it again, but this time off the carrom ball and holes out for 30. Ashwin finally gets his fourth. Australia 258/8 in 78, lead 413!
Turns out Smith single-handedly outscored the Indian team!
Ah well, Steve Smith did outscore the Indian team by 4 whole runs!
— ZENIA D'CUNHA (@ZENIADCUNHA) February 25, 2017
Out on 109 (finally) #IndvAus
How Jadeja finally got Steve Smith out LBW
— TheField (@thefield_in) February 25, 2017
This time, DRS went India's way#IndvAus https://t.co/4bJE1SY28Z pic.twitter.com/e3jRqICsGO
Harsha Bhogle is no longer fighting about the pitch. He’s moved on...to something even more contentious....
There, use of DRS because a batsman took a chance. Another player may be out on a mistake because no reviews left.That's not what DRS is for
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2017
Oh come on. Get off that horse now.
When was last time #Ashwin had his elbow angle assessed for all he deliveries???? #INDvAUS
— Scott Thomas (@7Scott77) February 25, 2017
11.12 am: Reckon Australia will just be going for the slog now. Ashwin was slogged by Starc for a big six to take their score beyond 250. The lead currently touches 407.
11.06 am: The lead has crossed 400 but Ravindra Jadeja gets the big fish! Steve Smith is lbw in front for 109. Just missed the short-arm jab on the straighter one. Jadeja strikes again! Australia 246/7. What a great knock. One for the ages.
Steve Smith just scored perhaps the gutsiest, most important century of his Test career, writes @samuelfez #INDvAUS https://t.co/L4FqAZQhca
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 25, 2017
Tweet does not exist
11.00 am: Boundary for Starc and the lead now crosses 387, the highest run-chase in the fourth innings on Indian soil. Then he goes downtown big and smashes a six!
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10.57 am: More praise for Steve Smith. On a rank turner, this truly is a special knock.
Yea. Virat. Talk Nah.
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 25, 2017
Super knock by Smith, with a helping hand from India of course#RamdinStyle #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/YyPjI7YGIF
Time and again @stevesmith49 proves that he is a sensational player! How on earth did he make a ton in this rank Turner! #IndvAus
— Mukunth Harish (@MukunthHarish) February 25, 2017
Cant beat Test Match cricket, Steve Smith what a legend! #IndvAus 🏏🏏🏏🖒
— Mathew Crawford (@crawford_mat) February 25, 2017
10.55 am: HE GETS IT! STEVE SMITH, TAKE A BOW, WHAT A CENTURY! This is a captain’s knock if there ever was one! He’s pumped up and why shouldn’t he be! What a knock. What a player!
What a knock @stevesmith49, leading from the front as usual! #INDvAUS #smudge
— Toby Lutwyche (@lutwyche_5) February 25, 2017
Lucky? Maybe, but you have to make your luck count...
That may not be Steve Smith's best 100 but I reckon it's the one that means most to him. Brilliant gritty knock. #IndvAus
— Paul Nolan (@pwnolan) February 25, 2017
STEVEN FREAKISH SMITH!!! REMEMBER THE NAME! #INDVAUS
— Jenreus (@Jenreus) February 25, 2017
10.46 am: Steve Smith moves on to 93. Mitchell Starc hammered Umesh for a boundary last over and plays out Jadeja. Australia 219/6, lead by 374,
93* - Highest Test score for Steven Smith in India! #INDvAUS
— Mohammad Ismail (@m_ismail77) February 25, 2017
Here’s the radio commentary of that Wade dismissal;
LISTEN: Matthew Wade's luck runs out as he clips another ball to the keeper with the official hearing it: https://t.co/ninR0rdJx2 #IndvAus
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) February 25, 2017
10.40 am: Steven Smith is in the 90s now. He hit Jayant Yadav for a boundary off a full toss in the last over. India are getting wickets but it’s a little too late. Australia 212/6, 367 runs.
Steven Smith may be lucky but is producing a match winning innings on a bowler's track. Time to put support aside and applaud
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2017
Will the Test end today? Don’t think India will collapse as badly.
I would imagine we'll have a fourth day if Aus bat out mist of first session. Can't see India collapsing as staggeringly as they did y'day
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2017
10.33 am: But Umesh strikes four balls later. Much thicker edge on that and maybe that’s what convinced Wade to walk. Partnership broken at 35...Wade gets 20. But Australia are still 204/6 and lead by 359.
An old joke has been rehashed:
And I thought that Wade walks only when his car's tank is empty 😜 #IndvAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 25, 2017
A little insight on how Smith has played this innings:
Steve Smith's most productive shot this innings has been balls he has worked off his pads. Has scored 24 runs from 32 shots #INDvAUS
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) February 25, 2017
10.31 am: Don’t put the camera on Virat Kohli, guys. No, don’t put it. Nice edge on Wade there on that delivery from Yadav, everyone goes up but the umpire is unmoved. There’s a clear edge there. No reviewws for India. How frustrating is that?
That sounded like a nick - Wade given not out by Kettleborough, who is having a bad morning #IndvAus @theagesport
— JonPierik (@Pierik_AgeSport) February 25, 2017
Howler from Richard Kettleborough#INDvAUS
— Devdutt (@ApratimKheladu) February 25, 2017
It’s the second decision that hasn’t gotten India’s way. Steve Smith was given not out.
10.26 am: Aah, frustration from Umesh Yadav. Wade obviously seems to like the pace and he times Yadav away for a nice cover-drive for four. Australia 199/5, lead 354
When you watch @stevesmith49 you remember Gary Player's famous line "The harder you work the luckier you get " !What a player ! #IndvAus
— vikram sathaye (@vikramsathaye) February 25, 2017
10.19 am: India are just not able to get the collapse going. The Wade-Smith partnership is now 24. Australia 194/5 in 63 overs
Three dropped catches notwithstanding, this is classic stuff from Steve Smith. Never got tied down by the spinners. #IndvAus
— Aayush (@slicesofIife) February 25, 2017
Worrying for #India. #Australia've already stretched their lead to nearly 350 with 5 wickets left. #IND need to play for a draw. #INDvAUS
— SportsLife365 (@splife365) February 25, 2017
And a tongue-in-cheek jibe at Smith’s unorthodox genius...
"Keep your head over the ball, kids. Except you, Steve. You do whatever the hell you want." #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/2dx9q8SRh6
— Jon Healy (@JonHealy) February 25, 2017
10.15 am: Steve Smith has entered the 80s. All praise really feels short. This has not been a typically Australian attack. He hasn’t bashed everything around. Nor has he been stuck in a shell. He’s moved with dexterity, got the boundaries, ran hard in this sapping well. He’s been benefitted by some poor catching, but still very well done. Australia 188/5, lead 343.
Three dropped catches notwithstanding, this is classic stuff from Steve Smith. Never got tied down by the spinners. #IndvAus
— Aayush (@slicesofIife) February 25, 2017
@WhiteLineWire Steve Smith's 80* is the highest ever score by an Australian captain in the third innings of a match in India.
— Nick Fredriksson (@NickTheStatsGuy) February 25, 2017
10.07 am: Wade has been looking to sweep Jadeja but he can’t do that to Jayant Yadav who delivers a good maiden over. Australia 182/5, lead 337.
How good is Matthew “Noooice, Gary” Wade? Not bad.
10.05 am: Well, well....slow motion replays on an lbw shout in the last Jadeja over showed the ball hitting Smith’s pad first before the bat. It would have gone on to hit middle stump! Umpires had said no. Now, hopefully, Kohli realises the stupidity of throwing away all your reviews. Australia 178/5.
Excessive appealing make up for wasted reviews not... #IndvAus
— ZENIA D'CUNHA (@ZENIADCUNHA) February 25, 2017
Virat is the best chaser in the world, right? Even in Test matches, right?
So is Virat a good chaser in Tests too? Record in 4th match innings:18 Tests, 16 inns, 5 Nos, 724 runs, HI 141, avg 65.81 #IndvAus
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 25, 2017
10.00 am: Matthew Wade is the new batsman out there and he’s negotiated his first five balls decently. Jadeja seems to be a the bigger threat on this surface, getting enough zip and turn to beat the edge over and over again. Australia 172/5, lead 327. Steve Smith hits a boundary off the last ball of the next over to take the score to 176/5, lead 331.
More observations coming up as everyone gets up to watch this engrossing game on a Saturday morning.
Smith is playing a career defining knock on this kind of pitch. #IndvAus
— Shantanu Smart (@smartshantanu) February 25, 2017
On turning pitches, more than bowlers skill, it's about luck to find those edges of the bat which carries to slips or bat pads #INDvAUS
— RK (@rohit2250) February 25, 2017
The stark contrast in fielding between the two sides is evident even today. A lead of 400 would be impossible to chase.#IndvAus
— Pritam Guha (@pritam_guha31) February 25, 2017
9.54 am: OUT! Ravindra Jadeja gets the breakthrough! Finally gets at thin edge, appeals and is given! Mitchell Marsh walks after scoring 31. First wicket in the day goes down for Australia...they are 169/5.
Virat pumped Up :)))) #IndvAus
— അഭിലാഷ് (@ItzAbi77) February 25, 2017
Not enough runs to dust the critics but a decent innings from Marsh. #IndvAus
— K. (@crick3tki) February 25, 2017
If you’re an Indian fan and want to be cheered up, maybe watch how this chase of 387? India will need to do something similar to win this now.
9.45 am: Still solid from Marsh and Smith there. Jadeja zips through an on over but Australia block him out. 159/4, lead is now 314.
Do you want a Twenty20 break? Watch this epic finish in the Pakistan Super League yesterday. Mohammad Sami defended four runs off the last over and Islamabad won!
9.40 am: While all the attention has been on Steve Smith, a word of appreciation for Mitchell Marsh as well. He’s not rated much by most Australian cricket supporters and has hardly had much to do in this Test, but he’s looked a very solid figure out there with Smith. Their partnership is already 40. Australia 153/4, lead 308.
Here’s the six Marsh hit today. The crowd didn’t want to give the ball back!
Could be the making of Mitchell Marsh. Come on Warney, they were about 250 in front when he came out to bat. #INDvAUS
— Paul (@paul_jobber23) February 25, 2017
9.33 am: Four runs in the first over of the day. And with that the lead crosses 300. Australia 147/4.
300 lead up for Australia. Gonna take some chasing this #INDvAUS
— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) February 25, 2017
Smith was off the blocks even before the day started!
Skipper Smith hits the nets early on day three #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/8UO7FfR0d0
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 25, 2017
Keep your popcorn all warmed up.
If yesterday's action at Pune provides a guide, best pack plenty of popcorn for day 3 starting in under an hour #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/0qyrDirThk
— Andrew Ramsey (@ARamseyCricket) February 25, 2017
9.20 am: Ten more minutes left for the start of the day. Here’s some more analysis on yesterday’s happenings.
For the first time in a hugely successful captaincy, Virat Kohli couldn’t fight back from the corner Australia pushed him and his team in.
Steve O’Keefe was Australia’s aggressor in chief but they had only themselves to blame.
9.00 am: Good morning and welcome to Day 3 of the India-Australia Test!
Ahh...Test cricket, nice, laid-back, slow...right? Except, someone forgot to pass on that message to this Test. Fifteen wickets fell on Day 2 for 252 runs. It started off with Australia batting, then India batted and then Australia batted again. In between, there was old-fashioned fierce fast bowling from Mitchell Starc, a spot of magic from Steve O’Keefe, a collapse of epic proportions from India and then some hard-nosed batting from Steven Smith, helped by some comical catching from India.
The story of the day was definitely this:
But here’s some more on SOK (that’s what they’re calling O’Keefe now).
Anil Kumble reflected on Virat Kohli’s first bad day as captain.