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Day two in Ranchi has been one for the batsmen, with free-flowing runs from both teams setting up a nicely poised third Test.
India finished the day 1-120 after Australia had earlier been bowled out for 451. KL Rahul notched his fourth 50 of the series with a graceful and nerveless 67, and was well supported by Murali Vijay, who was more watchful for his 42 not out.
It almost came as a surprise when Pat Cummins, on return to the Test team, managed to coerce a short ball into rising sharply into Rahul's glove and through to Matthew Wade.
For the tourists, Steve Smith once again led the way with the bat, his near-chanceless 178 not out a defiant response to a difficult week.
Only a lack of partners stopped him reaching what looked an inevitable double ton, with the Aussie skipper looking completely untroubled by the Indian bowlers or a pitch that has played far more friendly than it appeared to the naked eye.
He was more than ably supported by Glenn Maxwell, who fell for 104 but not before celebrating an emotional breakthrough century in style. Cameo innings from Wade and Steve O'Keefe helped push Australia just past the 450 mark, and to a competitive first-innings target.
India's response was equally as emphatic, Rahul batting brilliantly to deny a probing Josh Hazlewood, snarling Cummins and largely ineffective Steve O'Keefe and Nathan Lyon.
With captain Virat Kohli still unsighted on day two — aside from some well-received glimpses on the big screen — India's top order was under pressure to persevere. The two openers did so in contrasting, but equally successful fashions.
The model for batting on this slow, low pitch was set by Smith, who used his crease and feet intelligently and picked off the gaps offered to him by India without breaking a sweat.
Maxwell too looked largely at ease, though he spent a decent chunk of time stuck in the 90s and needed a pair of streaky edges past the slip cordon to finally hit three figures.
The means to an end were not important for Maxwell though, who was overcome with emotion having achieved something that seemed some way off when he was dropped by Victoria earlier this summer.
The Ranchi pitch has caught some by surprise in how placid it is, and India is in a great position to respond to Australia, and perhaps even take a first-innings lead. The Test is tight, with neither side blinking yet.
Topics: cricket, sport, india, australia
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