Ranchi Test: India make a strong reply after Australia post 451

STUMPS - DAY 2

India 120-1 (40 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

KL Rahul hit a half-century while Murali Vijay was unbeaten on 42 to help India make a strong reply with the bat after Australia had posted 451.

Rahul was dismissed for 67 by Pat Cummins before India reached 120 for one in 40 overs at stumps on Day 2 with Pujara unbeaten on 10.

Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 451 with captain Steve Smith finishing unbeaten on 178, his second century of the series.

Maxwell hit his maiden Test century as he hit 104, adding 191 runs for the fifth wicket with Smith.

Jadeja claimed five for 124 to help restrict Australia after they looked set for a total in excess of 500 at one stage.

India's captain Virat Kohli didn't take the field in the second innings as Ajinkya Rahane led the team in his absence. He is expected to bat when his turns comes on Day 3.

India will be hoping their top order can continue their good showing on the third day and they can also post a big total with the bat to keep their hopes alive of victory in the match.

India 120-1 (40 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Hazlewood comes back to replace Cummins, who bowled a superb second spell of six overs for eight runs while picking up a wicket.

With five overs left in the day, India would be hoping to go to stumps without any more damage.

India would surely send in a nightwatchman if a wicket goes down so that Virat Kohli gets more time to rest his shoulder.

Pujara won't mind blocking everything as he plays out a maiden over from Hazlewood.

Vijay and Pujara pick a single each in Lyon's next over as the scoreboard keeps ticking.

Ajinkya Rahane is padded up so that means he will come next incase India don't send a nightwatchman.

But Pujara and Vijay are looking quite solid as the former flicks a full toss on the stumps through midwicket for a four, his first of the innings.

Two more overs to go as Lyon continues. Vijay comes down the track and drives the first ball of the penultimate over past mid-off for a four to take his score into the 40s.

Australia appeal for a catch at short leg off Vijay as Lyon gets some extra bounce. Umpire Ian Gould turns down the appeals saying it came off the pads but the Australians take the DRS.

It turns out to be a poor review as the ball missed the bat by a long way and the the umpire's decision stays.

Vijay takes a single before Pujara goes for the cut but gets an edge which falls well short of Smith at slip.

O'Keefe to bowl the final over and Vijay is able to easily to see off the final over of the day.

India 109-1 (35 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Vijay looks to sweep Lyon as he gets the top edge which goes fine on the leg side for a four. But he gets it right off the next ball, sweeping it off the middle of the bat for another boundary.

Two balls later, he uses the sweep yet again this time lapping it fine for the third four of the over as India cross the 100-run mark in the 33rd over.

In his next over, Lyon from round the wicket, hits Vijay on the pads as he appeal for LBW but umpire Ian Gould turns it down stating there was an inside edge. He was beaten by that delivery which went straight on and if not for the inside edge he was plumb in front.

He flicks the next ball which hits Handscomb at short leg on the helmet who is brave enough to stand up tall despite Vijay looking to flick it on the leg side.

India 93-1 (32 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Hazlewood gets a break as O'Keefe comes back into the attack. Vijay continues to rotate the strike with a single to long-off and Rahul picks a single to the covers off the last ball.

Cummins tries the slower ball which kicks up slightly as Vijay is hit on the gloves as he looks to defend.

Rahul is reading O'Keefe quite well as he flicks a full delivery from the spinner through midwicket for a couple and then repeats the shot two balls later for the same result before he takes a single.

Cummins makes the first breakthrough with a cracking delivery to get the big wicket of the in-form Rahul. He bowls a well directed short ball aimed at the opener's body, who tries to sway out of the way but gets a glove and is caught behind. He had infact taken off the right hand off the bat but the ball bounced more than he expected as it kisses the left glove.

Once again Rahul is unable to carry on to play a big innings as he falls for 67 after putting on 91 runs for the opening wicket with Vijay.

New batsman Cheteshwar Pujara steers a wide delivery past the slips for a couple to the thirdman region.

India 81-0 (26 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Hazlewood relying on the reverse swing to create something for Australia as they look for the first breakthrough but Vijay blocks him with some confidence as he looks to play straight.

Pacers from both ends as Cummins is called into the attack from the other end. Rahul defends the first four balls before he taps the fifth on the off-side for a single.

Hazlewood drops it a bit short as Rahul steers it past point for a couple before the next slips down the leg side as the opener glances it fine for a four.

This has been a confident start from the Indians as they reach 80 for no loss in 25 overs with Rahul on 59 and Vijay on 21.

India 73-0 (23 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Hazlewood getting some reverse as he gets one to shape in but Vijay is able to get his bat down and tuck it on the leg side for one.

Two balls later, Hazlewood gets one to hold its line as Rahul plays inside the line to get an edge for a four between the slip and gully fielder. He then overpitches as Rahul flicks it to deep midwicket for a couple.

In the next over, Rahul sweeps Lyon for a four through square leg to bring up his fifty in some style, from 69 balls with the help of eight fours.

Rahul continues his consistent run with the bat as he registers his fourth successive half-century in five innings in the series. And the onus will now be on on him to convert it into a big one.

India 61-0 (20 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Both openers are capable of playing the big knocks and India will need one of them to stay out in the middle and do what Smith did for Australia. With Virat Kohli struggling with a shoulder strain, the onus will be on the other batsmen to get the runs.

The singles are coming quite regularly with the field well spread out as India pick three runs off O'Keefe's sixth over. In the next over, Rahul flicks Lyon through midwicket for a single to raise the 50-run stand for the opening wicket, in the 18th over.

Australia make a change as pacer Hazlewood replaces O'Keefe, who bowled six overs for 23 runs.

The first ball comes in sharply as Vijay is hit on the pads but the LBW appeal is turned down with the impact outside the line.

Two balls later, Vijay plays a nice drive through the covers for first boundary off the 52nd ball he faces.

Lyon continues as it keeps getting overcast in Ranchi. Rahul picks another single before Vijay goes for the drive but gets an edge which again goes past the slips for a four followed by a single.

This has been a good start by India as they reach 61 for no loss in 20 overs, still needing another 190 runs to avoid the follow on.

India 46-0 (16 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Australia's spinners will look to build the pressure with some tight bowling from both ends. Rahul though likes to keep things moving as he is early into the sweep but seeing Lyon bowl a full delivery, he has to swipe it on the leg side for a single.

A single each to the two batsmen off O'Keefe before Rahul flicks the left-arm spinner fine on the leg side for a four. The next ball is short as Rahul goes right back before he cuts it to the right of deep point for a couple and defends the last ball.

Vijay looking to the sweep shot to counter Lyon's threat as he misses out on the first attempt but then connects for a single to fine leg and Rahul collects another single.

India are 46 for no loss in 16 overs with Rahul having scored 38 of them with the help of five fours, while Vijay has made just eight.

India 35-0 (12 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Spin to start off the post-tea session as O'Keefe comes into the attack. Rahul cuts the fourth ball but can't find the gap but gets the next ball past the man at point for a four to start off the new session in confident fashion.

Nathan Lyon also comes into the attack from the other end. Vijay defends the first four balls before he brings out the sweep for a single and Rahul also takes one from the last ball.

O'Keefe asking some questions as he draws Rahul forward who lunges half forward to defend as he gets an edge which goes past the slip fielder for a four. He gets an inside edge off the fourth ball for one and Vijay keeps strike with one from the last ball.

While Rahul has got off to a start again, Vijay is content to bide his time. The two openers have looked to keep the scoreboard moving against the two spinners, taking singles regularly, in a bid to not them let settle down.

TEA - DAY 2

India 20-0 (8 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Hazlewood tries a short ball to Rahul but he manages to pull it on the leg side for one.

In the next over, Rahul shuffles across and flicks a full delivery from Cummins off middle stump through square leg for India's first boundary, in the sixth over.

Cummins as expected tries the short ball but this time Rahul manages to deal well with it as he blocks it off the backfoot.

Spin introduced early with nearly 7-8 minutes left for lunch. Vijay takes a single to long-off before Rahul also picks a single off the fifth ball.

Rahul then plays a wonderful shot off Cummins driving it on the up through the covers for a four. A few deliveries later, he manages to steer a wide delivery with soft hands past the slips for the second boundary of the over.

India off to a solid start as they reach 20 for no loss in eight overs in reply to Australia's first innings score of 451 all out.

The in-form Rahul stroked his way to 18 with the help of three fours, while Vijay made two.

India will be encouraged by the start as both the openers played trouble free and managed to see off the first eight overs with the new ball. If they manage to get a good start, it will put them in a good position to make a strong reply with the bat.

India 4-0 (4 ovs) vs Aus 451 | Scorecard

Australia's opening bowlers would be looking to claim a few early wickets and push India on the backfoot early in their innings.

Meanwhile, India need a good start especially with Virat Kohli suffering from a shoulder strain and it remains to be seen if he is able to bat freely.

Josh Hazlewood to open the bowling for Australia as KL Rahul taps the first ball on the leg side and steals a quick single before Murali Vijay defends the rest of the over.

Pat Cummins from the other end as he bowls in Test cricket after a long wait of more than five years. The right arm fast bowler starts with a maiden as KL Rahul prefers to play with caution and see off the over.

Hazlewood has a huge appeal for LBW turned down against Vijay with height being the factor. The next ball beats him outside the off-stump as the ball goes past the edge before Vijay manages to defend the next ball. Vijay then gets off the mark as he pulls a short ball to fine leg for one.

Cummins bowls a quick short ball to Rahul, who takes his eyes off as he looks to fend it. He gets hit on the gloves but the ball falls close to the pitch on the leg side and gets him a single.

This has been a good start by Australia's pace bowlers as India reach 4-0 after four overs.

Aus 451-all out (137.3 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Smith finishes unbeaten on a splendid innings of 178, having hit 17 fours in his 361-ball knock as he showed great application on a pitch which didn't offer the bowlers much assistance on the first two days.

Jadeja was the star performer with the ball for India as he registered wonderful figures of five for 124 in 49.3 overs but his spin partner Ashwin struggled as he managed just one wicket in 34 overs.

Umesh, as he has been right through the home season, once again impressed with the ball as he claimed three for 106 on a pitch which had nothing at all for the fast bowlers, as Ishant went wicketless in 20 overs.

India were done in by the 191 run-stand between Smith and Maxwell, who registered his maiden Test century as he played a superb innings of 104.

India will need their batsmen to come out and make a strong reply to this total. The pitch is still good for batting but they will be aware that it will be very difficult to bat on Day 4 and 5, when they bat in their second innings and hence will be keen to match Australia's total if not take the lead.

Aus 451-all out (137.3 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

With one just wicket remaining, Smith will look to attack and try to get to his double century which also will help Australia get close to the 500-run mark.

The field is well spread out but Smith doesn't take the single off Umesh before he takes one off an inside edge off the fourth ball.

The last two balls are yorkers and Hazlewood is waiting on the backfoot as he keeps it out easily.

Last man Hazlewood is run out for a duck as Australia are bowled out for 451 in their first innings as Smith is left unbeaten on 178.

Aus 449-9 (136 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

In the next over, Jadeja completes his five wicket haul with the dismissal of Nathan Lyon, who is caught at silly point for one.

The extra bounce does the trick as Lyon looks to defend but the ball hits high on the bat and Karun Nair does well to stay low and take a sharp catch at silly point.

Superb bowling from Jadeja, who has five for 123 in 49 overs as Australia are reduced to 449 for nine in 136 overs.

Aus 446-8 (134.3 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

The field is well spread out for Smith, who is quite okay with taking singles early in the over. At the other end, O'Keefe continues to grow in confidence as he pulls a short ball from Umesh behind square on the leg side for a four to take his score to 24.

Ashwin comes back into the attack, replacing Jadeja, who bowled a wonderful spell in the morning session. Smith yet again takes a single before O'Keefe defends the last two balls as India's bowlers look completely clueless against Australia's batsmen after the lunch break.

Umesh finally makes the breakthrough with the wicket of O'Keefe, who pulls a short ball but is caught at fine leg for 25, after he had put on 51 runs for the eighth wicket with Smith.

Aus 435-7 (130 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Smith takes a single off the first ball before No. 9 batsman O'Keefe lofts Ashwin back over his head for a four.

Jadeja has a huge shout for LBW turned down with O'Keefe getting an inside edge.

He survives another close shout for LBW against Ashwin with the impact well outside the off-stump. He is nearly done in by Ashwin off the next delivery as the ball spins sharply, taking the inside edge past wicketkeeper Saha for a four.

Jadeja bowls a rare loose delivery, wide and short, as O'Keefe cuts it past point for a boundary.

With Ashwin not being able to make an impression and also giving away a lot of runs, he is replaced by pacer Umesh Yadav as Australia pick three singles from the over to continue their strong showing with the bat.

Jadeja sends down a maiden over to O'Keefe as Australia reach 435 for seven in 130 overs, having scored 34 runs in 12 overs after the lunch break.

Aus 415-7 (124 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Ashwin to starts off proceedings after the lunch break. Smith takes a single off the second ball to long-on before O'Keefe defends the next four balls. The same script follows in the next over as Smith takes a single off the second ball off Jadeja before O'Keefe blocks the remaining four deliveries.

Smith is content to take the singles early in the over as O'Keefe is showing good defensive technique against the spinners.

Jadeja again finds the edge as O'Keefe defends but the ball flies wide of the slip fielder for a single.

In the next over, O'Keefe cuts a slightly short delivery from Ashwin as he gets a thick outside edge which goes over Rahane in the slips, who barely has time to react, as it gets Australia a boundary.

Smith uses his wrist to good effect as he flicks it in some style through midwicket for a four, as Matthew Hayden claims it was similar to how VVS Laxman played the shot against Australian spinners.

Australia are steadily building their total as they reach 415 for seven in 124 overs with Smith on 162 and O'Keefe on six.

LUNCH - DAY 2

Aus 401-7 (118 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Smith takes a single off Ashwin to bring up his 150, from 315 balls as Australia inch towards the 400-run mark.

Smith is beaten again by Jadeja, who finds the edge but it falls short of the fielder at first slip. The Australia captain then chips down the track and lofts Jadeja to deep midwicket as he pushes Steve O'Keefe to come back for the second run.

That turns out to be the last over of the session as Australia go into the lunch break at 401 for seven in 118 overs.

Smith played through the session to be unbeaten on 153 at the break, with O'Keefe on one not out.

The session belonged to Australia as they scored 118 runs in 28 overs before Jadeja claimed three wickets to check their progress. The left-arm spinner was the standout bowler as he got some turn to register wonderful figures of four for 106 in 42 overs, while Ashwin failed to make an impression in the few overs he bowled before the lunch break.

Aus 395-7 (116 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Bowling from over the wicket, Jadeja gets one to turn from the rough outside the leg stump as Smith is beaten before he takes a single from the last ball of the over.

Wade continues to be aggressive against Ashwin as he comes down the track and converts it into a full toss, which he whips through midwicket for his fifth four to take his score to 30.

Wade turning it on for Australia as his time he sweeps Jadeja powerfully from well outside off-stump for another boundary. He looks to defend the next ball but gets an inside edge which goes past the fielder at short leg.

Ashwin look to bowl defensively and contain the flow of runs and has looked completely flat on this wicket, while Jadeja continues to create chances from the other end in his quest to pick wickets.

Wade looks to sweep Jadeja but is beaten as the ball passes close to the stumps. He attempts the shot again and this time he connects for a single to deep square leg and Smith also picks a single.

Jadeja is rewarded for his persistence as he bags the wicket of Wade, who is caught behind after a handy innings of 37, having added 64 runs for the sixth wicket with Smith.

Two balls later he claims another wicket as Pat Cummins is bowled for a duck in his comeback match. Jadeja again hits the crack and gets the ball to turn beating the defensive push from Cummins as it hits the off-stump.

Aus 379-5 (111 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Smith hits Jadeja on the leg side through midwicket and comes back for the third run despite some hesitation as the Indian fielding is once again lacklustre.

Jadeja gets the next ball to kick off the rough outside Wade's off-stump as it bounces and turns bit, beating even wicketkeeper Saha for four byes. He sweeps the fourth ball to the deep at square leg on the leg side for one.

The thirdman region is fetching a lot of runs for Australia on this quick outfield as Wade opens the face of the bat and steers Umesh past the slips for a four followed by two more singles.

The pacer makes way for Ashwin, who finally gets his first bowl of the day with around 25 minutes left for lunch.

Wade keen to attack the off-spinner as he chips down the track and lofts Ashwin over midwicket for a four.

Aus 356-5 (107 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Ishant gets Smith to edge one as the ball falls just short of wicketkeeper Saha, who signals the same to the umpires.

Two balls later Smith flicks a full delivery from the stumps as he shuffles across through square leg for a four.

He drives the last ball through the covers where two Indian fielders collide to give away another boundary.

Wade ends the sequence of four consecutive maiden overs by Jadeja as he comes down the track and hits the spinner through midwicket for a four off the last ball. It was the first runs Jadeja has conceded on Day 2, in his fifth over of the day.

Umesh replaces Ishant, who bowled a good second spell in the morning session but no Ashwin so far as stand-in captain Rahane prefers to operate with pacers from one end.

Umesh bowls a wide half-volley which Wade drives handsomely through the covers for his second four as Australia continue to build their total.

Australia are 356 for five in 107 overs with Smith on 139 and Wade on 11.

Aus 331-5 (102 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

India miss an easy chance to run out Maxwell, who was taking it easy as Smith called him for the second run. Ashwin threw at the non-striker's end where Ishant had enough time to collect the throw and break the stumps but he failed to react in time and Maxwell got a lifeline.

However, Maxwell fell in the very next over. Jadeja, who had bowled well and built the pressure with three maiden overs on the trot, got the wicket of Maxwell, who was caught behind for 104.

The ball hit one of the cracks and turned away enough as Maxwell played away from his body only to get a thin edge which was well held by wicketkeeper Saha.

A good innings from the all-rounder, who hit nine fours and two sixes in his 185-ball knock, adding 191 runs for the fifth wicket with Smith.

Matthew Wade looks to paddle Jadeja but is beaten as the ball hits the helmet and goes on the off-side.

Aus 328-4 (99 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Umesh tries a bouncer at Maxwell which stays low and the right-hander does well to adjust as he initially looks to pull and then duck before he somehow swats it to deep square leg.

In the next over, Maxwell steers Ishant past the slips for a four through thirdman to take his score into the 90s.

Maxwell getting a bit shaky as he looks to get to his century as soon as possible. He looks to ramp a short ball from Umesh over the slips but is beaten before he steers a wide through to thirdman for two runs. The last ball is short and this time Maxwell manages to get it over the slips for a four to move to 98 and just two runs away from his maiden Test century.

India make a bowling change as Ravindra Jadeja comes in for Ishant. No help at all for the bowlers, not even Jadeja, in his first over of the day as Smith manages to play him cautiously for the first maiden over of the day.

Maxwell goes after a wide delivery from Umesh as he gets the edge which flies to thirdman for a single.

Jadeja beats Maxwell with one that spins away beating the edge of the bat. Infact, Jadeja even went up for appeal for the catch behind but no other players were interested.

Maxwell gets to his maiden Test century in streaky fashion, an edge off Umesh which goes through the slips for a four.

Aus 308-4 (92 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Captain Virat Kohli is not taking the field as the Indian team walks out to start the second day and they will again be led by Ajinkya Rahane.

Kohli did have a long chat with the team before the start of the day's play, urging his team to keep fighting and look to make a comeback.

Umesh Yadav to start off proceedings on the second day and facing him is Glenn Maxwell.

Some drama off the very first ball as Maxwell defends the first ball and to his horror the bat breaks into two right from the middle.

Maxwell doesn't take time to get going with the new bat as he crashes the last ball of the over through the covers for a four.

Pacers from both ends with the ball relatively new. Australia looking to score some runs before the ball gets old as Steve Smith steers the third ball past the slips through the thirdman region for a four and then takes a single.

Aus 299-4 (90 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the third Test between India and Australia in Ranchi on Friday.

The good news for all Indian fans is that captain Virat Kohli is taking part in the morning warm-up session and even though he may not take the field, he could come out and bat when India's turn comes.

Kohli suffered a strain in his right shoulder due to a fall while fielding on Day 1, he was forced off the field in the 40th over and he missed the rest of the day as he underwent treatment in the dressing room.

"He will continue to receive treatment, which will assist him to participate in the rest of the match," BCCI said in a statement on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Australia captain Steve Smith continued his golden run against India with another century, his sixth against India and the second of the series in three games.

Australia captain Steve Smith struck a cultured unbeaten century on Thursday to steer Australia to 299 for four wickets on the opening day of the third Test against India in Ranchi, signalling he has put the review controversy at Bengaluru behind him.

Smith's 117 not out is only the second century of the spin-dominated series -- following his 109 in the first Test in Pune -- as the 27-year-old joined the 5000-run club in his 53rd Test.

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell celebrated his return to Test cricket with a career-best 82 not out, his burgeoning partnership with Smith already worth 159 runs.