Internet Desk: India took two quick wickets in two overs just before lunch, as the visitors reached 109 for three on the first day of the third Test at Ranchi on Thursday.
Australia started well after electing to bat first, as they reached 50 without loss in 9.3 overs. After that India skipper Virat Kohli introduced spin from both ends and the Australians lost three wickets with 109 runs on the board.
Ravindra Jadeja took David Warner’s (19) wicket in his first over after Warner gave Jadeja a simple return catch.
Matt Renshaw (44) was going well and looked set to complete a hat-trick of half-centuries before falling six runs short with Umesh Yadav dismissing the opener in his second spell after a smart change of ends by Virat Kohli.
India’s in-form off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin then dismissed Shaun Marsh (2) after India brilliantly used the DRS in their favour.
At lunch, skipper Steve Smith was batting on 34 and Peter Handscomb was giving him company at six.
Aussie skipper Smith may have criticised the pitch yesterday, terming it mud rolled together, but all the three dismissals did not show any devil in the 22-yard strip.
Australia started well and were happy to score in boundaries on a quick and small outfield. A flick off the pad from Renshaw raced to boundary for Australia’s first runs on the board in the first over of Ishant Sharma.
Renshaw’s first 24 runs came only in boundaries as once he cleared a fielder the ball raced past the rope.
Warner took his time and hit his first boundary after 22 balls with an elegant cover drive off Yadav.
With Warner looking to break free, Kohli employed spin attack at both ends and Jadeja was welcomed by the Aussie vice-captain with another crunching drive.
But in the next ball, a juicy full-toss, Warner offered Jadeja a return catch, even as his lean patch on the Indian tour continued.
After Warner’s departure, India slowly pegged things back.
Six shy of a half-century, Renshaw edged a simple catch to Kohli at the first slip in Yadav’s second over in his second spell.
Ashwin also struck from the other end as India made a fine review to reverse the umpire’s call and Marsh was on his way back to the dressing room. Cheteshwar Pujara took a diving catch at forward short leg after the ball took off from the bat and pad.
Earlier India made one change, bringing back a fit-again Murali Vijay in place of Abhinav Mukund.
The Aussie made the two forced changes with Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins figuring in the playing XI in place of the injured Mitch Marsh and Mitchell Starc.
With inputs from PTI.