Steve Smith produced a moment of brilliance late on day two at Indore that may well prove decisive in Australia’s bid to peg the margin of India’s series lead back to one Test.
On the second evening of the third Test match, India were inching towards what potentially could have been a tricky fourth-innings target on a pitch that has exhibited considerable turn and inconsistent bounce since the first morning.
Cheteshwar Pujara led the way for India, forming potentially dangerous partnerships with Shreyas Iyer, R Ashwin and then Axar Patel.
With India on 155-7 leading by 68 runs, Pujara flicked a ball delivered by Nathan Lyon from around the wicket, behind square on the leg side, only for Smith to take a sensational one-handed catch low to his right. That dismissal was Lyon’s sixth of the innings and it left Axar as India’s last recognised batter as they sought to be post a competitive target.
India were eventually bowled out for 163, leaving the Australia with a target of 76. The lowest target successfully defended in Test is 84, by Australia against England at The Oval in 1882.
You can watch Smith’s catch to dismiss Pujara below:
