(Reuters) – Steve Smith redeemed himself with a stunning catch to deny KL Rahul a rousing century and give Australia a vital breakthrough before lunch on day four of the third test in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Fielding at slip, Smith leapt to his right to pluck a one-hander after spinner Nathan Lyon induced an edge from opener Rahul, who fell for 84 as India went to lunch at 167 for six, still 79 runs from avoiding the follow-on.
The catch broke a stubborn 67-run partnership with recalled all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja which had given India hope of staving off a second successive defeat in the five-match series.
It was also a relief for Smith after he dropped a waist-high chance in the slips on the first ball of the morning by captain Pat Cummins to reprieve Rahul on 33.
Jadeja was 41 not out at the break, with fellow all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy on seven.
Though Australia have dominated the rain-hit test, time may deny the hosts from taking a 2-1 lead in the series after rain wiped out most of days one and three.
Australia’s task was made tougher by a calf problem for paceman Josh Hazlewood, who bowled only one over in the morning before a team spokesperson said he would be taken for scans.
Whichever way the match goes, India captain Rohit Sharma will face more scrutiny after another failure with the bat.
He was caught behind for 10 nicking fast bowler Cummins with a lead-footed drive one ball after being softened up by a bouncer from the Australian skipper.
Rohit has 19 runs from his three innings in the series, having missed India’s victory in Perth while caring for his newborn son.
India, who resumed on 51 for four in the morning on Tuesday, trail Australia’s first innings 445 by 278 runs.
The series is level at 1-1.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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