After scoring just 10 runs in the first four innings against India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Test series, Steve Smith finally bounced back to form as he scored a brilliant century in the Australian first innings at Sydney Cricket Ground. This is his 27th Test ton and eighth against India.
He is also the quickest to reach 27 Test centuries in terms of innings. He reached the feat in 136 innings. This is also his eighth Test ton vs India, equalling Windies great Viv Richards. Moreover, Steve Smith averages 79.22 in Sydney and this century is proof of his class and ability as a Test batsman.
He was going through a rough patch in the series and the way he bounced back is simply amazing. Smith was seen spending extra time in the nets to tackle India’s spinner leading to this game and the New South Wales batsman has turned the tide in favour of him. He added a 100-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne (91) to start the day for Australia before a flurry of wickets fell for the Aussies.
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Steve Smith storms back to form
India then bounced back by taking five wickets in quick succession by giving not too many runs away. Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah have been on the money for the visitors putting them back in the game. However, Australia have crossed the 300-run mark which is also their highest team total in the ongoing series.
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Meanwhile, just after Smith’s ton Mitchell Starc (24) was dismissed by Navdeep Saini after he added a crucial 23 runs with the left-hander. Australia are looking to get to 400 with Smith still at the wicket with the tailenders.
Meanwhile, the microblogging site Twitter was in awe of the talismanic run-scorers. From Aakash Chopra to RP Singh to Wasim Jaffer, former cricketers hailed Steve Smith for his magnificent effort with the bat.
Here are some of the Twitter reactions:
Tough times never last but tough people do. Steve Smith is back to where he belongs….among the runs. He was the last Australian to score a test century against India…and he’s broken that 2+ year jinx again. Incidentally his third century vs India on this tour…all at Sydney.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 8, 2021
That's greatness …Steve Smith 👏👏👏#AUSvIND
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) January 8, 2021
Knew we were in trouble when he played that straight drive early in his innings yesterday . Ominous signs . Steve smith – simply brilliant !! #IndiavsAustralia #BorderGavaskarTrophy #BCCI
— Rohan Gavaskar (@rohangava9) January 8, 2021
Century for Steve Smith!
The ICC Men's Test Player of the Decade has started the year with a bang 🔥
How many runs will he score this decade? 👀#AUSvIND SCORECARD ▶ https://t.co/Zuk24dsH1t pic.twitter.com/7l3xKnLUPI
— ICC (@ICC) January 8, 2021
Smith also equals the record for most Test 100s (8) v India. Here's the breakdown:
STEVE SMITH 8 in 25 inns
Sobers 8/30
Viv Richards 8/41
Ponting 8/51
#AUSvIND— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) January 8, 2021
Fewest inns to 27 Test hundreds
Bradman 70
STEVE SMITH 136
Kohli 141
Tendulkar 141
Gavaskar 154
Hayden 157
#AUSvIND— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) January 8, 2021
Can’t keep him down for long 💯 #smith #AUSvIND
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) January 8, 2021
Well played #Smith.Truly a cricket genius of the modern time. Remove Smith ton in Sydney, Aus would have been struggling the same way as they did in first two Tests. pic.twitter.com/CoajPoAB22
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) January 8, 2021
Smith does what he likes best – scoring centuries. Splendid comeback by him after a string of low scores. Winning early battle against Ashwin was key factor in this turnaround innings
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 8, 2021
After a lean run for Smith, that seemed as much a raw release of relief as it did a celebration. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) January 8, 2021
Another Steve Smith century, No 27, and only 31yrs – avg 61. We really are privileged and blessed in this decade to be watching three great batsmen of the modern game. Kane Williamson: 30yrs – avg 54.
Virat Kohli: 32yrs- avg 53.— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 8, 2021
Can't keep a big player down for too long. Well batted Steve Smith! 👏👏 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/lqEDld91Zx
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 8, 2021
