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Australian batsman Steve Smith roared back to form with a vigorous hundred in the third Test match between India and Australia. This was his 27th century in Test cricket. With this, he becomes the second-fastest player to score 27 centuries. The hundred helped the Australian batsman surpass Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. They had taken 141 innings each to reach the milestones. Steve Smith managed to achieve this feat in just 136 innings.
Earlier it was Sir Don Bradman who has scored 27 Test centuries faster than Smith. The iconic Australia batsman only needed 70 innings to achieve this mark. Steve Smith also went level with Sir Garfield Sobers, Viv Richards, and Ricky Ponting as the cricketers with the most Test centuries against India. They all have scored eight tons.
Steve Smith goes past Virat Kohli's run-tally in Test cricket with a quality innings
Steve Smith also crossed Virat Kohli's run total of 7318 runs during his incredible innings in the third test match at Sydney. The 31-year-old has aggregated 7368 runs to his name in the purest format of the game. The number 4 batsman had failed to reach double figures in his four innings in the first two test matches. However, he answered every one brilliantly with a brilliant knock of 131 runs.
The Indian bowling department did not look to have any idea on how to dismiss the set batsman. At the end of day 2, it took a run-out to send him back to the pavilion. It was one of the fearless innings from Smith. He also showed the world that he is still one of the world's best batsmen in Test cricket.
Smith was also voted the ICC Test cricketer of the Decade last month. With his century he helped Australia score 338 in their first innings of the third Test. However, the visitors also made a strong start in response. The Indian opening batsman Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put on 70 runs for the opening wicket. They helped the middle-order batsmen with a reliable platform. It was also team India's first 50-plus partnership for the opening wicket in 14 innings.
The men in blue have struggled in recent times to find a reliable opening pair. After the return of Rohit, he has made it possible in the ongoing third Test as he combined beautifully with young batsman Shubman Gill. They ended Day Two of the Test match at 96/2, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease.