India off to steady start after Jadeja show

Ranchi, March 17: India posted 20 for no loss in their first innings at tea on the second day of the third cricket Test against Australia at the JSCA International Stadium here on Friday.

Lokesh Rahul was batting on 18 with Murali Vijay on two at the other end as the hosts trailed Australia's first innings total by 431 runs.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed a five-wicket haul as Australia were dismissed for 451 in their first innings.

Jadeja returned figures of 5/124, the eighth five-wicket haul of his Test career and the fourth this season.

Skipper Steven Smith played a captain's innings for Australia and remained unbeaten on 178 to guide them to a big total. He hit 17 boundaries during the 361 balls he faced.

Brief scores:

India (First Innings): 20/0 (Lokesh Rahul 18 batting, Murali Vijay 2 batting) vs Australia (First Innings): 451 (Steven Smith 178 not out, Glenn Maxwell 104; Ravindra Jadeja 5/124, Umesh Yadav 3/106).