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Pune: Australia dramatically took control of what is turning out to be an absorbing contest against all odds by beating India at their own game.
At stumps, Steven Smith had completed a lucky half-century to take Australia to 143 for 4, thereby extending the overall lead to 298 runs on Day 2 of the Pune Test.
19 wickets fell during the day and there could have been more had the Indian fielders held on to the chances that came their way.
The day belonged to Australia and their unheralded left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe whose dramatic spell in the post lunch session put India on way to their worst ever collapse in Test cricket. In the space of 25 balls, O'Keefe took six wickets as India crashed to 105 all out in their first innings.
Smith was dropped thrice, twice off the bowling of R Ashwin and went on to score an unbeaten half-century to steer Australia to commanding posotion.
This was after R Ashwin trapped David Warner lbw in the first over of Australia's second innings and then removed Shaun Marsh for a 21-ball duck.
Smith then steadied the innings and eventually put Australia in a dominating position, stitching solid partnerships with Handscomb, Renshaw and Mitchell Marsh. At the close of play, Smith was unbeaten on 59 while Mitchell Marsh was batting on 48.
O'Keefe returned career-best figures of 6/35 as India lost their last seven wickets for just 11 runs. The 32-year-old ran through Indian line-up like a hot knife through butter. And it all began when he changed ends in the 33rd over.
It turned out to be quite a move as in it, he picked three wickets to leave India reeling at 95/6. The slide began with the wicket of KL Rahul who charged forward to O'Keefe to be caught for 64.
It was a poor shot to say the least as he had done well to complete a well compiled half-century. Ajinkya Rahane then was caught brilliantly by Peter Handscomb at second slip for 13. Wriddhiman Saha inexplicably poked at a delivery to get an outside edge and was sent back for a two-ball duck.
Earlier, this was after Ashwin got rid of Starc for 61, caught by Jadeja at midwicket with Australia being all out for 260 in their first dig.
Likewise India, Australia also shared the new ball between a pacer (Starc) and spinner (O'Keefe). But it was the first change Josh Hazlewood who made the first impact, inducing an outside edge from Murali Vijay (10) that was caught by the 'keeper.
Brief scores
Australia - 260 (Renshaw 68, Starc 61, Umesh 4-32, Ashwin 3-63) and 143 for 4 (Smith 59*, Ashwin 3-68)
India - 105 (Rahul 64, O'Keefe 6-35)
Status - Australia lead by 298 runs
