New Delhi: Welcome to our live coverage of third Test, Day 2 between India and Australia in Ranchi.


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END OF DAY'S PLAY: Indians started the day in the absence of their skipper Virat Kohli. But Rahane took charge of the taem pretty well with the team displaying a rather aggressive feilding. They gave away 150 runs to the Aussies and striking down six of the. Like always, Jadeja was the key man, getting his eight five-wicket haul. With the bat, the home side came up with a rather promising start. Rahil notched up a half century while Vijay is en route to his. Comeback man Cummins removed just one for today. All eyes will although be on whether Virat will step on tomorrow.




Over 40 | Score 120/1 | Vijay 42* , Pujara 10*


Last over for the day. Keefe is the bowler. Gets a maiden. And its the end of day's play


Over 39 | Score 120/1 | Vijay 42* , Pujara 10*


Vijay steps out to strike a ravishing boundary down mid-off. Good to see Vijay taking charge. Five off the over.


Over 38 | Score 115/1 | Vijay 37* , Pujara 10*


Hazlewood back in. Two more overs to go, before they depart. Nicley played in the offside by Pujara and he gets a four. 


Over 37 | Score 111/1 | Vijay 37* , Pujara 6*


Lyon with the ball, gives away two runs.


Over 36 | Score 109/1 | Vijay 36* , Pujara 5*


Hazlewood replaces Cummins. Gets a maiden


Over 35 | Score 109/1 | Vijay 36* , Pujara 5*


Cummins struck his last over for the day. Brilliant from the bowler after his humiliating dismissal to Jadeja. Lyon comes in to give away two runs.


Over 33 | Score 105/1 | Vijay 35* , Pujara 2*


Vijay now opens up with his aggressive side. Whacks off three boundaries off Lyon's deliveries.


Over 32 | Score 93/1 | Vijay 23* , Pujara 2*


Comeback man Pat Cummins dismisses Rahul with his troubling bouncers. He tried drifting it away, but it edged his gloves and went straight into the hands of the keeper. Sad for the opener for not going to his hundred yet again and joy for the visitors as they get their first break.


WICKET! Comeback man Pat Cummins gets rid of opening partnership as Rahul departs of a bouncer.


KL Rahul c Wade b Cummins 67 (102b)


Over 30 | Score 91/0 | Vijay 23* , Rahul 67*


Cummins comes back with a bouncer. Two off the over


Over 29 | Score 89/0 | Vijay 23* , Rahul 66*


Keefe comes in. Gives away five. His ball isn't turning much.


Over 28 | Score 84/0 | Vijay 23* , Rahul 61*


Cummins to Rahul. Troubling the opener with his paced bouncers. Gives away just one run


Over 27 | Score 83/0 | Vijay 23* , Rahul 60*


Keefe comes in. Gives away two.


Over 26 | Score 81/0 | Vijay 22* , Rahul 59*


Cummins with the ball. Home side now wishes that the two stick to the crease and bat till the end of the day. This could obviously mean that Kohli would step on to the field tomorrow. 


Over 25 | Score 80/0 | Vijay 21* , Rahul 59*


Hazlewood back in. Last delivery edges past the bat and then the keeper to whsitle to the boundary.


Over 24 | Score 74/0 | Vijay 21* , Rahul 52*


It is an absolute necessity for Rahul to pull off a ton. Cummins is looking strong with his deliveries.


Over 22 | Score 73/0 | Vijay 21* , Rahul 52*


Glimpses of Kohli in the dressing room is sending the fans at Ranching cheering loud. And with that sweep comes up Rahul's half-century. Brilliant from the opener.


Over 21 | Score 68/0 | Vijay 20* , Rahul 48*


Indians are looking strong, striking boundaries, building on momentum. In earlier innings of this series, they had toppled down one or two, but things are looking different in Ranchi. Rahul is marching on to his half-century.  


Over 18 | Score 51/0 | Vijay 10* , Rahul 41*


KL Rahul on coarse for another 50. He has clearly been one of the most consistent Indian batsmen against the Aussies. But the question still remains on whether he can convert this into an big one and finally claim a hundred.


Over 10 | Score 26/0 | Vijay 3* , Rahul 23*


It is an all-spin attack from Australia as Steve O'Keefe and Nathan Lyon strive to get either of KL Rahul or Murali Vijay out.


TEA BREAK: Post Lunch session witnessed a confident Indian side roaring back, with Jadeja completing his yet another five-wicket haul. Although, there indeed was a much needed Keefe-Smith partnership with was adding on the hopes of the visiting side, but they qickly tumbled down to Yadav and Jadeja. A target of 451 and India is hoping to rise to a good start. Off just eight overs to their innings, Rahul has been glowing with his boundaries off the comeback-bowler Cummins. Can the Australians hammer down the home team or will Rahul and Vijay succeed in their objective? Another question is surely about Kohli. Will the fans get a glimpse of his bat?


Over 8 | Score 19/0 | Vijay 2* , Rahul 18*


Cummins hammered again by Rahul. Pushes the outside ofgf delivery down cover for a boundary. And there goes another four. Short delivery, gets outside edge and it travels to the boundary. And they all depart for tea


Over 7 | Score 11/0 | Vijay 2* , Rahul 9*


Keefe replaces Hazlewood. Two off the over.


Over 6 | Score 9/0 | Vijay 1* , Rahul 8*


And the first boundary off Rahul's strike. Loose ball and Rahul tosses it over past square-leg for a four. And then some exchange of words between Cummins and Rahul.


Over 5 | Score 5/0 | Vijay 1* , Rahul 4*


Hazlewood hammering with outside off deliveries. One off again.


Over 4 | Score 4/0 | Vijay 1* , Rahul 3*


Cummins into the attack. He is hitting 140 plus off every delivery. And then a nasty bouncer of 148. Rahul surely didn't anticipate that, but got a single. One off the over.


Over 3 | Score 3/0 | Vijay 1* , Rahul 2*


Hazlewood back in. Good first two deliveries to nervous off Vijay. Two off the over.


Over 2 | Score 1/0 | Vijay 0* , Rahul 1*


And after first time in five years this bowler comes back to prove to his critics. Pat Cummins is with the ball. After his humiliating dismissal off the second ball to Jadeja, he surely wants to prove with his area of strenght, the reason why he has been selected. He is hitting 144 kmph. Maiden to comeback with.


Over 1 | Score 1/0 | Vijay 0* , Rahul 1*


Josh Hazlewood starts for the Aussies, while Rahul is at strike. Risky start! Just got lucky not to get unlucky with that dangerous single. Vijay is at strike, will be looking to make his 50th Test, something special. One off the over.


AUSTRALIA 1st innings: Aussies were down in confidence when they started of after lunch, but the Smith-Keefe partnership to 50-runs was incredible to shoo away Indian hope. Yadav walked in to dismiss Keefe and with than Jadeja banked on the tumbling tail-enders to bring an end to Smith's hope. A glimpse of Virat shadow-practicing in the dressing room sent the fans roaring and Indians hope to build on a confident start to their innings.



Over 138 | Score 450/10 | Hazlewood 0 , Smith 178*


Jadeja to Smith. And gets another Aussie down by a run-out. Hazleweood departs to cease Australia to 451.


Over 137 | Score 450/9 | Hazlewood 0* , Smith 177*


Jadeja has been sensational with his deliveries in this series. Impresssive of the left-arm spinner and it did take him alongside Ashwin to the No. 1 spot. Hazlewood walks in. Just one man left and Smith's double ton now seems a distant dream.  


Over 136 | Score 449/9 | Smith 176*


Jadeja into the attack. Off his last delivery, he gets his eighth five-wicket Test haul. Ball gets extra bounce and hits Lyon's bat and goes straight to Nair.  


WICKET! Lyon is the next victim to Jadeja's spin. Beauty by the silly point to take the catch


NM Lyon c Nair b Jadeja 1 (6b)


Over 135 | Score 446/8 | Lyon 0* , Smith 174*


Umesh is the bowler now. Goes for a bouncer to Keefe. He uses the pace to pull the big one but Vijat was there at fine leg to comfortably catch it. Umesh gets his second for the day. Good over for the home team


WICKET! Bouncer to Keefe and he aims for the big one. But Vijay is the man at fine leg to catch off the flying ball. Umesh strikes


SNJ O'Keefe c Vijay b Yadav 25 (71b)


Over 134 | Score 445/7 | Keefe 25* , Smith 173*


Single takes their partnership to 50 runs. Home team on ground of anxiety, looking helpless now.


Over 133 | Score 442/7 | Keefe 24* , Smith 171*


The task that was looking easy for the home team just bedore lunch, is now looking as a bleak hope. The two batsmen are looking strong, piling up to the pressure on the Indians.


Over 132 | Score 441/7 | Keefe 24* , Smith 170*


Ashwin replaces Jadeja. Gives away just one


Over 131 | Score 440/7 | Keefe 24* , Smith 169*


Umesh is the bowler. Gives away a single of the first ball to Smith. Short delivery and Keefe powered it down to the boundary.


Over 130 | Score 435/7 | Keefe 20* , Smith 168*


Despair among the home fans. Jadeja gets a maiden.


Over 129 | Score 435/7 | Keefe 20* , Smith 168*


Umesh comes in. Smith still troubling India, with the home team looking for a remedy.


Over 128 | Score 431/7 | Keefe 18* , Smith 166*


Home side have to get rid of the Aussie skipper. On the other hand, Keefe continues with his flirting with the boundary.  


Over 127 | Score 426/7 | Keefe 14* , Smith 165*


Spin attack continues with Ashwin. Lucky Keefe escapes again. Ball turns, inside edge, goes over the wicket . Saha fails to trap it and goes for a four.


Over 126 | Score 421/7 | Keefe 10* , Smith 164*


Jadeja in. One off the over.


Over 125 | Score 420/7 | Keefe 10* , Smith 163*


Keefe is biulding unlikely pressure on the Indians. Sends Ashwin's delivery high over him for a straight boundary.


Over 124 | Score 415/7 | Keefe 6* , Smith 162*


Jadeja going loose now. Smith drives the almost full delivery down midwicket for a four. Goes over the wicket to Keefe. Couple of tensed deliveries.


Over 123 | Score 410/7 | Keefe 6* , Smith 157*


Skipper Rahane missing a chance to get the eight Aussie down. Chips his bat and topples Rahane to go to the boundary. Keefe lucky again.


Over 122 | Score 406/7 | Keefe 2* , Smith 157*


Over the wicket for Jadeja. Outside edge of the fourth delivery and Keefe saved. Two off the over


Over 121 | Score 404/7 | Keefe 1* , Smith 156*


Ashwin into the attack. Varying his deliveries. Gives away just a single.


Over 120 | Score 403/7 | Keefe 1* , Smith 155*


Jadeja continues. One off it.


Over 119 | Score 402/7 | Keefe 1* , Smith 154*


Confident Indians start off with Ashwin as the bowler, while Smith is at crease. Smith's men will be targeting a 500. One off the over.



POST LUNCH BREAK: Can Steve Smith and his remaining men keep Jadeja-attack at bay or will the left-arm spinner strike yet again to bundle to visitors?  



LUNCH BREAK: With Virat missing the day's showdown, much was on Rahane's shoulders to keep the momentum going, but the Aussies had something different in their store. A maiden Test ton from Maxwell was the evidence of a confident visiting side, but it soon fell after Jadeja knocked him off soon after his celebration ended. Wade walked in to pile up pressure on the home side a 50 plus partnership along with the skipper sent vibes of aniety down Ranchi. However, Jadeja came back yet again to stop Wade and then Cummins to crumble the middle-order Aussie lineup. With Smith still at crease, hope isn't over for the Australians. Will they come back strong or will Indians start off batting before tea?


Over 118 | Score 401/7 | Keefe 1* , Smith 153*


While Jadeja is keeping India's hope alive amid the then rising Aussie momentum, Smith stands up for his team;s defense. Brings up his much needed 150 runs.  Departs for lunch


Over 116 | Score 395/7| Smith 147*


Rahane has been looking aggressive in this innings, but then they have to stop this partnership. Nd Jadeja is the man to complete the task. Ball doesn't turn and kisses the the edge of the bat to go straight into Saha's hand. In walks Cummins and he departs too. Six years it took him to reurn and just two balls to send him back


WICKET! Returns after almost six years to misjudge the turn and depart of the second delivery. Cummins departs for a duck. Jadeja gets his third today


PJ Cummins b Jadeja 0 (2b)


WICKET! Jadeja is the man again and sends back Matthew Wade. Edge and a catch.


MS Wade c Saha b Jadeja 37 (50b)


Over 114 | Score 392/5 | Wade 35* , Smith 147*


Half-volley shot and nails it to the boundary. Jadeja looking weak with his deliveries now.


Over 113 | Score 386/5 | Wade 30* , Smith 146*


This partnership is dampening India's hope of a return as Wade hammers another boundary past square leg for a boundary.


Over 112 | Score 381/5 | Wade 26* , Smith 145*


Jadeja back in. Two off the over as the duo brings up 50-runs partnership.


Over 111 | Score 379/5 | Wade 25* , Smith 144*


Ashwin now brought in. But Wade is looking equally strong today. First with the lap sweep to get two and then a boundary over the mid-wicket. Seven of the over


Over 110 | Score 372/5 | Wade 18* , Smith 144*


Still no Ashwin as Jadeja continues.Over the wicket to Smith. Aussies are looking tough now with skipper marching to his 150.


Over 109 | Score 370/5 | Wade 17* , Smith 143*


Aussies utilising the absense of a third man and Wade gets another boundary off Umesh's delivery. Smith is now the highest scoring Aussie captain in India. Six off the over


Over 108 | Score 364/5 | Wade 12* , Smith 142*


Jadeja in. Three risky runs off the first ball. Second goes for a four bye. Disturbing for the home side. Eight off the over.


Over 107 | Score 356/5 | Wade 11* , Smith 139*


Umesh with the ball now.No sign of Ashwin till now. Wade cracks a ripper down cover for a boundary to move to double figures. Seven of the over


Over 106 | Score 349/5 | Wade 6* , Smith 137*


Jadeja continues. Gives away three runs.


Over 105 | Score 346/5 | Wade 5* , Smith 135*


Ishant comes in round the wicket to Wade. Impressive about Rahane and company to stop those quick-Aussie singles.Just one off the ove


Over 104 | Score 345/5 | Wade 5* , Smith 134*


Back after Drinks break. Jadeja starts of with an outside off to Wade. Troublind the Aussie wicketkeeper. And Wade comes out, excellent use of feet to drive it down for a four.


Over 103 | Score 341/5 | Wade 1* , Smith 134*


Ishant sends a good delivery to the skipper. Outside edge, but bounces just before the keeper and ceases Ishant's celebration. And now for a four. Places it right before the leg and he pushes it down square leg for the boundary. Poor fielding. Ball going to the cover, but the two fielders tangle and fail to stop it. Goes for a boundary.


Over 102 | Score 332/5 | Wade 0* , Smith 126*


Time for India to break the partnership now. And they did. Maxwell is the man to get dismissed and Jadeja is the wicket taker. Cleverly placed, goes for a pull, outside edge and Saha catches it. Jadeja is the weapon for India. Wicket and a maiden


WICKET! Scores his maiden ton, but fails to carry it Long. Maxwell gets an outside edge, Saha takes it and Jadeja send him back packing


GJ Maxwell c †Saha b Jadeja 104 (185b)


Over 101 | Score 331/4 | Maxwell 104* , Smith 126*


He has surely answered back at his critics. Maxwell is on his dream maiden. You can surely see the confidence glowing on his face. Ishant gives away three off the over


Over 100 | Score 328/4 | Maxwell 103* , Smith 124*


Jadeja back in. Gets his second maiden.


Over 99 | Score 328/4 | Maxwell 103* , Smith 124*


Umesh to Smith. Maxwell finally on strike ready to take a single to get his first. Last ball of the over, gets an outside edge, lucky for the fielder to miss it and it chips to the boundary.  


Over 98 | Score 323/4 | Maxwell 99* , Smith 123*


Jadeja with the ball. Cameras are ready and so are the fans to witness Maxwell's first hundred in Test. They have a little to wait. Maiden again.


Over 97 | Score 323/4 | Maxwell 99* , Smith 123*


Umesh continuing. Hammering with his short deliveries to Maxwell. The Aussie batsman is now on 99. He has surely impressed the selectors now. Just one off it.


Over 96 | Score 322/4 | Maxwell 98* , Smith 123*


Jadeja is the new bowler. Round the wicket to Smith. Did get the skipper from that side a couple of times, and he surely hopes to do it again. Gets a maiden


Over 95 | Score 322/4 | Maxwell 98* , Smith 123*


Umesh with the ball. Pushing Maxwell with some short deliveries. He is on 92, Indians have to get him off the pitch. Finally Umesh gets beaten. Short and Glenn chips it to the boundary.


Over 94 | Score 316/4 | Maxwell 92* , Smith 123*


Ishant continuing and send Maxwell's score past 90. Sends the ball down third man in the very first ball. Six off the over.


09:46am | Over 93 | Score 310/4 | Maxwell 87* , Smith 123*


News from the Indian dressing room- Virat has a sprain on his right shoulder, but no serious concern. Rahane is leading the side. Fans hope his return tomorrow. Umesh back in.Two off the over.


09:40am | Over 92 | Score 308/4 | Maxwell 86* , Smith 122*


Ishant into the attack. Third delivery and Smith starts off with a four. Gets his thick edge and sends the wide lenght ball down third man. Bouncer to end the over. 7 off the over.


09:35am | Over 91 | Score 301/4 | Maxwell 86* , Smith 117*


Umesh into the attack. Comes in strong and...What was that! Ball hits the bat and its in two halves. Both share a bit of laughter. Umesh gestures that he has got strong muscles. Maxwell with a new bat now. And finally Maxwell opens up. Beautiful stroke down cover and goes all the way to the boundary.


The visitors, led by Steve Smith, sit on top after the skipper registered another hundred to reaffirm why he ICC Test No. 1 batsman. Glenn Maxwell, on the other hand, secured his maiden half-century in the longer format of the game and the duo, together have put a 159-run partnership after batting for 47.4 overs together, taking their team to a highly impressive total of 299 at stumps on Day 1.


The only good news for Indian cricket team and its fans is that Virat Kohli, after suffering a shoulder injury on field yesterday, will continue to play the match and the BCCI earlier today, published a video of him getting down to field, fit and fine. (IND vs AUS, Ranchi Test, Day 1 - As it happened | Match Report)



As far as the pitch is concerned, it still looks a pretty decent track to bat on but there will be help for spinners later in the day. But considering the postition Aussies are in at the moment, it will the hosts who will be facing the challenge of cracks opening up on the track rather than Smith and Co.



The Aussie skipper was seen analysing the pitch early morning and that truly tells his intentions of about the game.


On Day 1, fast bowler Umesh Yadav returned figures of 2/63 while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up a wicket each for India before Smith scored his sixth century against India and his second in this series. The Australian skipper also notched up his 5000th Test run along the way. He is the third fastest to the landmark in the history of the game, having taken 53 Test matches to achieve the feat.