Steve Smith’s resurgent form lit up the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday as he notched his 34th Test century, steering Australia to a daunting first-innings total of 474 on day two of the fourth Test against India.
Smith’s masterful knock of 140, adorned with 13 boundaries and three sixes, was the backbone of Australia’s innings, further cementing his place among cricketing legends. The 35-year-old now shares the illustrious company of Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara on the all-time list of century-makers, with only six players ahead, including Sachin Tendulkar’s towering 51 centuries.
Resuming at 311-6, Australia piled on another 163 runs before folding shortly after lunch. Captain Pat Cummins added a breezy 49, while Mitchell Starc chipped in 15. Smith’s stellar innings ended in an uncharacteristic dismissal, as an inside edge from Akash Deep ricocheted onto his stumps.
India’s bowlers toiled hard but lacked the venom to contain the Australians. Jasprit Bumrah’s 4-99 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 3-78 were valiant efforts, but they couldn’t stop the hosts from stamping their authority.
In response, India’s innings was shaky from the start. Rohit Sharma, promoted back to opener, fell cheaply for three, caught off Cummins. KL Rahul followed soon after, clean bowled for 24 just before tea.
A glimmer of hope emerged as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli stitched together a century partnership. However, their resistance was short-lived, with both falling in quick succession. Akash Deep’s late dismissal compounded India’s woes, leaving them teetering at 164-5, still trailing by 310 runs with three days to play.
Australia’s bowlers, led by their talismanic captain Cummins, kept India under constant pressure, making breakthroughs at crucial junctures.
With the series finely poised at 1-1, this crucial Test could tilt the scales decisively. India faces a Herculean task to claw back into the match, while Australia has tightened their grip, leaving the visitors staring down the barrel.
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