Pune: Left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe destroyed India with a 12-wicket haul to give Australia an emphatic 333-run and a 1-0 lead in the Test series.
India looked like they could gain the upper hand in the match after dismissing Australia for 260 in the first innings. But after being in a steady position at 94/3, O'Keefe took centre-stage and along with Nathan Lyon, took 7 wickets for the next 11 runs to send the hosts back to the pavilion for 105.
India managed to snare some early Aussie wickets before stumps on Day 2 but skipper Steve Smith struck a gritty century on Day 3 to guide his team to 285 and set Virat Kohli's men a target of 441.
But it went horribly wrong again for the hosts as O'Keefe and Lyon picked up from where they had left off to skittle out India for 107 by grabbing six and four wickets respectively.
India 102/9 from 32 overs
WICKET! O'Keefe emulates his six-wicket haul from the first innings after dismissing Pujara before Nathan Lyon removes Jadeja.
TEA! Australia have been the dominant force in the Test so far, on Day 2 and Day 3. After setting the hosts a mammoth target of 441, the Aussies proceeded to run through half the Indian batting order. Steve O'Keefe was on song again, as he picked up five of the six wickets.
India 99/6 from 28.3 overs:
WICKET! The Indian batting seems to be disintegrating just like the Pune pitch. O'Keefe picks up another 5-wicket-haul, as he traps Wriddhiman Saha lbw.
India 79/5 from 25 overs:
WICKET! India are tumbling like a house of cards. Steve O'Keefe goes for a brilliant review to pick up his 10th wicket of the match. Ravichandran Ashwin,w ho was promoted up the order, becomes O'Keefe's 4th victim of the innings.
India 77/4 from 22.3 overs:
WICKET! India are in deep trouble now. Rahane plays an uppish drive off a tricky O'Keefe delivery and hits the ball straight down the throat of Nathan Lyon in the covers.
India 49/3 from 17 overs:
WICKET! Steve O'Keefe has worked his magic once again! Virat Kohli expected the ball to turn away from him, and left it alone. However, the ball continued on its normal trajectory and crashed into Kohli's stumps.
India 29/2 from 11 overs:
Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara are hanging on at the crease as the Aussie spin onslaught continues with O'Keefe from one end and Lyon from the other.
India 17/2 from 6 overs:
WICKET! The man of the moment Steve O'Keefe along with fellow spinner Nathan Lyon have struck early to get rid of both the Indian openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul.
Australia 285 all out:
Ravindra Jadeja has wrapped up Australian innings as Steve O'Keefe edged one to Wriddhiman Saha. Australia have scored 285 runs in their second innings and with the 155-run lead of the first innings, have set up a 441-run target for India to win the Test.
Australia 258/8 from 78 overs:
WICKET! Mitchell Starc gets out after a quickfire 30-run knock. Ashwin gets his 4th wicket. Starc had scored a half-century in the first innings. Quite a match this is for Starc, the batsman.
Australia 246/7 from 75 overs:
WICKET! Steve Smith departs after a brilliant hundred as Jadeja traps him before the wickets. A wonderful knock as he puts Australia in driver's seat to win the Test and take 1-0 lead in the 4-match Test series.
Australia 241/6 from 73 overs:
HUNDRED FOR SMITH! Tremendous knock this is on a pitch that has turned square since the day one. Although Smith was dropped four times, he made sure he punish India. 18th Test ton, 10th as a captain.
Australia 204/6 from 66 overs:
WICKET! Umesh Yadav gets his first wicket in this innings. Some justice for him as Matthew Wade, who was given not out despite edging one to Saha earlier in the over, gets out in the same over.
Australia 202/5 from 65 overs:
Australia continue to trouble Indians as the lead crosses 350-run mark. Things are looking ominous for India.
Australia 169/5 from 53.2 overs:
WICKET! Finally. Ravindra Jadeja gets the wicket he deserved. Saha took a fine catch as Mitchell Marsh got out.
Pune: India will have to pull off a miracle to save the Test as Steve Smith-led Australia aim to take firm control of the opening Test on Day 3 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Saturday.
While Virat Kohli-led side will be hoping to cut down Australia’s lead, the fielders will have to pull up their socks. If they continue to drop catches like they did on Day 2, it will further reduce whatever chances India have to save the Test.
India were crashed out for 105 as Steve O’Keefe dismantled the Indian innings with six-wicket haul. Australia, who had secured 155-run lead, then consolidated their position as they scored 143 runs (4/143) to take their lead to 298 runs.
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