Steve Smith’s Century Puts Australia in Command vs India
India Stumbles as Steve Smith’s Century Powers Australia in Fourth Test

Australia dominates as Smith shines, leaving India with an uphill battle at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Australia’s Steve Smith delivered a masterclass on day two of the fourth Test, steering his team to a commanding position with a brilliant 140, his 34th Test century. Australia posted a massive first-innings total of 474, which left India struggling at 164-5 by the close of play.
With relentless bowling from Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, India’s top order crumbled. The visitors now face an enormous task, trailing by 310 runs on a pitch already showing signs of wear and tear.
Australia’s Innings: Steve Smith Steals the Show
Resuming at 311-6 after a dominant opening day, Australia added another 163 runs to their total. Smith, who began the day at 68, was the anchor of the innings. He punished the Indian bowlers with 13 fours and three sixes, showcasing the composure and flair that has defined his career.
Steve Smith reached his 34th Test century with a superbly executed boundary against Nitish Kumar Reddy, joining cricketing icons such as Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara on the prestigious list of prolific century-makers. The 35-year-old surpassed the 8,500-run mark in Test cricket, further solidifying his legacy.
His partnership with Cummins yielded 112 runs, frustrating the Indian attack. However, both men fell shortly after lunch — Cummins for 49 and Smith in a bizarre dismissal when the ball ricocheted off his pads onto the stumps. Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah were the pick of the Indian bowlers, with Bumrah finishing with 4-99.
India’s Reply: Top Order in Tatters
India’s chase began shakily, with skipper Rohit Sharma failing once again. Sharma, who returned to his usual opening position, managed only three runs before mistiming a pull shot off Cummins. His dismissal set the tone for a challenging evening session.
The in-form KL Rahul was bowled by Cummins for 24 just before tea, leaving India two down. Despite this, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal looked solid, smashing a string of boundaries in his fluent 82. Jaiswal, who had scored a century in the first Test, seemed poised for another big score before a disastrous mix-up with Virat Kohli ended his innings.
Kohli’s stint wasn’t long, either. The Indian star, who had been fined earlier for a shoulder charge incident, edged Scott Boland to the keeper for 36. The momentum shifted further in Australia’s favor when Boland struck again to dismiss nightwatchman Akash Deep for a duck.
At stumps, Rishabh Pant (6*) and Ravindra Jadeja (4*) were at the crease, carrying India’s hopes into day three.
Post-Match Reactions: Confidence in the Camp
Despite the setbacks, Indian spinner Washington Sundar expressed optimism. “We felt confident when Yashasvi was at the crease; he had put us in a very promising position,” remarked the Indian camp after the day’s play. The energy in the dressing room remains positive, and we believe we can fight back tomorrow,” Sundar told reporters.
For Australia, skipper Pat Cummins praised Smith’s knock and his team’s bowling effort. “Smith was exceptional today, and the late breakthroughs have put us firmly in control of the match,” commented Australian skipper Pat Cummins.
Key Moments: What Turned the Tide?
- Steve Smith’s Century: Smith’s brilliant knock was the backbone of Australia’s innings, putting the home side in a commanding position.
- Cummins’ Double Blow: Removing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul ensured India never got off to a solid start.
- Jaiswal’s Run-Out: The young opener’s dismissal after a promising 102-run partnership with Kohli was a turning point.
- Boland’s Late Strikes: Scott Boland’s double strike in the final session left India reeling at the stumps.
Looking Ahead: A Steep Climb for India
India faces a daunting challenge as they head into day three. With three full days remaining, they must bat long and hard to avoid an innings defeat. On the other hand, Australia will aim to wrap up India’s innings quickly and push for a decisive victory.
The five-match series is tantalizingly poised at 1-1. After India’s resounding win in Perth and Australia’s crushing response in Adelaide, the Brisbane draw has set the stage for a thrilling finish in Melbourne.
Source: AajNews
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