After dropping KL Rahul on his overnight score of 33, Steve Smith came up with a one-handed blinder in the slips to deny the Indian opener a well-deserved century after leading India’s fight on day four of the Brisbane Test at the Gabba.
Tuesday got off to a dramatic start when Rahul edged Pat Cummins on the first ball of the day but heaved a sigh of relief to see Smith dropping a sitter at second slip.
It cost Australia as Rahul added another 51 runs to his and India’s score before he tried to cut off-spinner Nathan Lyon off while rocking back on a length delivery and got a thick outside edge that looked like flying past Smith’s outstretched right arm before it stuck in his palm.
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It ended Rahul’s knock of 84 and his 67-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.
India started the day at a precarious 51 for 4 in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 445, which included centuries from Travis Head (152) and Smith (101).
It soon became 74 for 5 after captain Rohit Sharma (10) fell early in the day, edging Cummins to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Conditions at the Gabba remained overcast, and the first session on Tuesday saw rain interrupting play briefly.
The five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy is level at 1-1.