New-boy Kuldeep is spin king
INDIA debutant Kuldeep Yadav’s leftarm wrist spin sparked an Australian collapse on day one of the fourth and final Test in Dharamsala.
But captain Steve Smith held the innings together scoring 111, his 20th Test century — and third hundred of the series.
Smith and David Warner had taken advantage of India’s sloppiness in the field to reach 144 for one.
Then Kuldeep, replacing injured captain Virat Kohli, led the fightback with four for 68, including three wickets during a collapse that saw Australia lose five for 64 runs in the afternoon session.
Matthew Wade thwarted India with 57 before being bowled by Ravi Jadeja as the visitors were dismissed for 300.
Before the close, India were forced to survive a testing maiden over from Josh Hazlewood.
Smith’s haul of 20 centuries has come in 99 innings. Only Don Bradman (55), Sunil Gavaskar (93) and Matthew Hayden (95) have got there quicker.