Twitter Reactions: Steve Smith slams 34th Test ton at MCG, consecutive against India

Former Australia captain Steve Smith hit back-to-back hundreds against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The senior batter changed his role ahead of the marquee series as he moved back to number four from opening and that helped the cricketer get back to his rhythm. He struggled in the Perth and Adelaide Tests but at Gabba, the 35-year-old made 101 runs in the first innings and in the fourth Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Smith looked flawless in the middle and completed his century in 167 balls. Senior India batter Virat Kohli soon congratulated him with a pat on his back after the ton.

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Australia’s top order gave the team a fantastic start as Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne registered a half-century each. It helped Smith settle down well and he capitalised on that later on, particularly on Day 2. Indian bowlers gave him plenty of room and that helped the Sydney-born cricketer establish his authority in the middle. Former cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Mark Nicholas spoke about India’s poor strategy on Day 2 as their lacklustre approach only pushed the visitors out of the contest.

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Indian bowlers also couldn’t put pressure on Pat Cummins, who looked in great touch in the first session of Day 2. Ahead of the day, head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli were seen motivating the players and particularly talking about the body language but it didn’t work out as Mohammed Siraj was removed after just one over and Akash Deep couldn’t pose any threat.

Smith took advantage of that and punished the Indian team in the middle and registered his 34th Test century. There were doubts over his form after the Adelaide game but the former captain showed the right intent in the last two games as the visitors had no clear plans to deal with Smith’s unorthodox batting. 

The Rohit-led side will now have to work hard to clinch the remaining four wickets soon, or else Australia can run away with the game. So far, the Indian bowlers have been very average on Day 2 and it needs to change immediately for the team to be back in contest.

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