Watch: Steve Smith takes a stunner to finish Cheteshwar Pujara’s resistance in IND vs AUS third Test

Australia stand in captain Steve Smith pulled off a catch of the collection contender when his one handed seize at slips ended Cheteshwar Pujara’s keep on the crease within the third Test at Indore on Thursday.

The catch proved to be the turning level of the match as Pujara, who was batting at 59, slowly and steadily waged a lone battle to rebuild the Indian innings after the remainder of the highest order had crumbled.

In the 57th over, Nathan Lyon’s third ball had spun inside and Pujara tried to play a drive however didn’t get as a lot bat to it as he would have appreciated. Smith, who was located on the leg slip dived low and took an absolute gorgeous catch together with his outstretched hand.

Could this be a match-turning catch by @stevesmith49 to dismiss @cheteshwar1 for a decided 59 #INDvAUS #traditional pic.twitter.com/RFHO4lEdWV

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) March 2, 2023

Lyon would go on to seize eight wickets with the hosts observing a giant defeat as Steve Smith’s aspect has been set a goal of simply 76 runs to win the Test and safe a spot within the World Test Championship (WTC) ultimate. The spinner spun an online round India batters, returning figures of 23.3-1-64-8.

Pujara batted resolutely however fell after making 59 runs. The veteran batter’s departure, with Smith taking the blinder of a catch, just about ended India’s resistance.

Umesh Yadav lasted simply two balls, caught by Cameron Green within the deep for a duck as India’s batting went down and not using a whimper. India are main the collection 2-0 having received in Nagpur and New Delhi.