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The Indian bowlers tried hard on a pitch which was not offering much. There was some turn but it was not alarming and the Aussie batsmen negotiated it with confidence. The Indian pacers did get some reverse going as well but failed to pick any wicket in the last session. The morning session tomorrow is very crucial, more for India as they would look to bounce back by picking wickets. For Australia, their plan will be to bat deep and post a big first innings total on the board. Promises to be an entertaining contest.
The Indian bowlers tried hard on a pitch which was not offering much. There was some turn but it was not alarming and the Aussie batsmen negotiated it with confidence. The Indian pacers did get some reverse going as well but failed to pick any wicket in the last session.
Outstanding session for Australia to end an excellent day for them. They scored in excess of 100 runs and didn't lose a single wicket. Steven Smith kept going strong and stroked an impressive century, while his partner, Glenn Maxwell has showed a lot of patience and maturity in his innings so far. The pair is amidst an unbeaten 159-run stand which has put Australia on top.
STUMPS
Australia reach 300/4 at stumps on day 1
That's it. 100 for Steve Smith
Australia: 258/4. Smith 97, Maxwell 65
Australia: 2o8/4. Smith 85, Maxwell 28
DAY 1, SESSION 3
The Indian bowlers tried hard but without much success. They were wayward at times and Steven Smith in particular batted fluently. An injury to Virat Kohli would be concerning for the home team and they will be hoping for their skipper to recover soon and lead them in the field. Do join us in a short while for the last session.
85/1 in 30 overs. That's the story of the afternoon session. Australia will be pleased with the proceedings. They lost Peter Handscomb after a good stand but their skipper Steven Smith has stood like a rock and is nearing yet another century. Glenn Maxwell making a comeback in Test cricket has batted sensibly so far and is turning out to be a perfect foil for the Aussie skipper.
Australia: 194/4. at Tea on Day 1.
Australia: 188/4. Smith 75, Maxwell18
Umesh Yadav to Peter Handscomb, OUT! Handscomb is given lbw! A cracking delivery by Yadav, a toe crusher at 140 kph, Handscomb is beaten for pace and is late in bringing his bat down. It hits him flush on the left boot, they appeal and the finger goes up almost immediately. Peter decides not to review it after consulting his skipper and India finally manage to break the partnership. The replays show that it hit the batsman in line and was crashing on the leg stump.
Australia: 124/3. Smith 43, Handscomb 10
DAY 1, SESSION 2
The now infamous pair of Steven Smith and Peter Handscomb are at the crease and they have a massive session waiting for them. It will be vital for the visitors to take advantage of the toss factor and not allow India any more opening. Join us in a bit for the post-lunch session.
Matt Renshaw and Steven Smith held their own. But a rare lapse of concentration ensured that Umesh Yadav saw the back of the southpaw. Surprisingly, India were brilliant with DRS in the first session. They first decided to not take a review of an LBW early on and opted for one immediately of a bat-pad catch of Shaun Marsh, which ended up being successful.
Beating all the rumors and bets, Ranchi has presented the best first session batting deck of the series, however it is India who have edged Australia, ever so slightly. The tourists got a brilliant start as they scored freely, the quick outfield did help. But the introduction of spin put brakes on their scoring rate and David Warner played a loose shot to get out.
Australia 109/3 (Renshaw 44, Jadeja 1/22) at Lunch on Day 1 of the third Test at Ranchi
Australia: 96/3. Smith 22, Handscomb 6
Ravichandran Ashwin to Shaun Marsh, OUT! Good review from India! Ashwin strikes and Australia are three down now. A flighted ball on middle, skidding down, Marsh gets forward with his bat and pad together in defense. He fails to keep it out and the ball pops out off his pads to short leg. Pujara reacts quickly to his left and takes the ball with a dive. They appeal vociferously but the umpire remains unmoved. The Indians are quite sure, Virat Kohli goes for the DRS and the replays confirm that there was a faint inside edge on the pads. Brilliant catch too. Marsh probably was playing for the turn which was not there. Got deceived and hence is out of here.
Umesh Yadav to Matt Renshaw, OUT! Edged and gone this time! Umesh Yadav hurls across a back of a length ball just outside off, straightening a touch, Renshaw pushes inside the line without any footwork and outside edges it to first slip. A good low catch by Virat Kohli and it brings an end to a promising knock by Renshaw.
Australia: 77/1. Renshaw 41, Smith 15
Ravindra Jadeja to David Warner, OUT! A real soft dismissal for Warner! Jadeja lets out a low full toss this time, Warner could have hit it anywhere in the field but ends up smashing it straight back. It's uppish and Jadeja shows great reflexes to catch it to his left. That was travelling. Brilliant from Jadeja. Australia lose their first wicket after a brisk start. A dejected Warner walks back to the pavilion.
Australia: 36/0. Warner 10, Renshaw 24
Australia: 6/0. Warner 10, Renshaw 24
Australia won the toss and chose to bat first
India - Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.
Australia - David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Steven Smith(c), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Virat Kohli says that they have lost the toss in the last couple of series but ended up winning those games. Feels it's a challenge once you lose the toss and informs that they also wanted to bat first. Adds they have prepared well and everyone is ready to go. Praises his boys for the performance in Bangalore and wants to capitalize on it. Also adds that the preparation has been good. Informs about the one change, Murali Vijay returns in place of Abhinav Mukund.
Steven Smith says that he doesn't think there will be much bounce and the pitch will take more spin as the game goes on. He hopes to post a good first innings total. Informs that they have prepared well for this game and it was nice to get some rest in between. Confirms that they have two changes - Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins replace Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc.
Up goes the coin, Steven Smith calls it correctly and wins an important toss for his team. No surprises, Australia have elected to bat!
Thankfully, all the off field drama can be put to rest as we are all set to get underway once again. Both sides are on equal terms as far as this series is concerned and there is plenty to play for. We are expecting a cracking contest at this new Test venue in Ranchi. Stay with us for all the updates...
Hello and welcome to the first day of the third Test between India and Australia in Ranchi. A gripping contest between both the sides ended eight days ago in Bengaluru, but the intensity hasn't died since. There have been endless debates about Virat Kohli's allegations and Steve Smith's 'brain fade' moment. If that was not enough, Ranchi's pitch became a topic of discussion days before the match even started.