Super Smith, compact Maxwell guide Aus to 299/4

Steve Smith continued to be India's nemesis by scoring a wonderful century as Australia recovered from early setbacks to reach a comfortable 299 for 4 on the first day of the third Test here on Thursday.

Smith (117 not out) showed steely resolve en route his 19th Test hundred. None among the Indian bowling quartet could trouble him during the 244 balls that he faced.

Comeback-man Glenn Maxwell (82 not out) also played his role to perfection with a solid effort, adding 159 runs in 47.4 overs for the fifth wicket.

Maxwell's proficiency against spin also helped Smith to play his own game. Incidentally, this was Maxwell's first 50 plus score in Test cricket.

If it wasn't enough that bowlers had a hard day, Indian captain Virat Kohli suffered a shoulder injury while fielding and was out of action for more than one session.

In Kohli's absence, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane's leadership lacked imagination.

Australia would certainly be looking at a total in excess of 500 with an aim to bat India out of the match during the first innings itself.

This was after Australia were precariously placed at 140 for 4 with Umesh Yadav (2/63 in 19 overs) providing a fantastic exhibition of reverse swing bowling.

The day belonged to Smith, who has now scored six Test hundreds against India in the last seven appearances. The Australian captain also completed his 5000 runs in Test cricket.

The pitch was low and slow to begin with and there wasn't much turn on offer for the Indian spin twins on Thursday. With no help from the track, Ravichandran Ashwin (1/78 in 23 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/80 in 30 overs) had nothing special in their armoury to trouble the Australian skipper, who hit 13 boundaries in his innings.

Smith reached to the second century of the series in 227 balls when he drove Murali Vijay through long-on boundary.

In the process, Smith also became third fastest batsman in 53 Tests to get to 5000 runs after Sir Don Bradman had reached the milestone in his 36th Test and Sunil Gavaskar took 52 matches to reach the landmark.

Known for his big hits in the Indian Premier League, Maxwell looked a different batsman in his measured and calculated innings.

Maxwell also curbed his trademark reverse sweep shot that had fetched him so many runs as and took 52 balls for his first boundary, a swing of the bat against a Jadeja's full length delivery.

Maxwell pulled Jadeja over midwicket to bring up his maiden Test 50 with a six.

There was some comic relief when Saha chased the ball right out of Smith's legs as in the wrestle both fell down. On 97, Smith tried to jab the ball into the vacant leg side, took an outside edge as it got stuck between his legs.

A determined Saha however tried to grab it from between his legs and in the process the duo provided a hilarious moment. Even umpire Ian Gould could not resist a

hearty laugh.

Umesh looked the most impressive bowler and the pacer gave the only breakthrough of the session when he trapped Handscomb (19) leg before with a brilliant inswinging yorker.

After Handscomb's departure, Smith found a fine ally in Glenn Maxwell for their third half century-plus partnership of the innings.

Earlier, Smith won a fine toss as their openers Matt Renshaw and David Warner played with a positive intent and cruised to 50 for no loss in 9.3 overs.

But after spin was introduced at both ends in the 10th over, Ravindra Jadeja (1/49) struck in his first over with David Warner (19) offering a simple return catch to the left-arm spinner.

In the middle of a fine run, 20-year-old Renshaw looked to complete a third half-century in as many Tests, before falling six runs short. Yadav produced the breakthrough before lunch in his second spell when Renshaw guided to Kohli at first slip for a soft dismissal.

Ashwin too opened his account after India brilliantly used the DRS to dismiss Shaun Marsh (2) as India struck twice in 2.4 overs before lunch.