NEW DELHI: Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith put Australia in a commanding position as the visitors reached 149/2 at tea on the first day of the fourth Test against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
But soon after tea, Australia lost Smith (38) at the score of 151 with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja breaking the crucial 79-run partnership for the third wicket between Khawaja and Smith.
Peter Handscomb joined Khawaja in the middle and started off well. Handscomb hit three fine boundaries before Mohammed Shami landed a peach of a delivery that sent Handscomb's off-stump cartwheeling and gave another denting blow to Australia.
The incident happened in the 71st over of the Aussie innings. Shami's delivery hit the deck on a good length and it got straightened off the deck. Handscomb was caught on the back foot to defend it, but got beaten with the pace and his off-stump went for a toss with the visitors losing their fourth wicket at the score of 170.
Handscomb scored a few eye-pleasing boundaries, but failed to convert his good start into a significant contribution.
India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by winning the first two Tests before Australia made a remarkable fight back to clinch the third Test.
India will also qualify for the World Test Championship final if they go on winning this first.
