<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/mar/ranchi-test-yadav-m.jpg" alt="" /> Umesh Yadav celebrates the dismissal of Matt Renshaw. Pic/AFP
Ranchi:&nbsp;Steve Smith continued to be India's nemesis by scoring a superb century as Australia recovered from early setbacks to reach a comfortable 299 for 4 on the first day of the third cricket Test here.
In the eye of a storm for his 'DRS Brain Fade' during the&nbsp;second Test, Smith (117 batting) showed steely resolve en&nbsp;route his 19th Test hundred. None among the Indian bowling&nbsp;quartet could trouble him during the 244 balls that he faced.
Comeback-man Glenn Maxwell (82 batting) also played his role to perfection with a solid effort, adding 159 runs in&nbsp;47.4 overs for the fifth wicket. &nbsp;Maxwell's proficiency against spin also helped Smith to play his own game. Incidentally, this was Maxwell's first 50 plus score in Test cricket.
If it wasn't enough that bowlers had a hard day, Indian&nbsp;captain Virat Kohli suffered a shoulder injury while fielding&nbsp;and was out of action for more than one session. In Kohli's&nbsp;absence, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane's leadership lacked&nbsp;imagination.
Australia would certainly be looking at a total in excess of 500 with an aim to bat India out of the match during the&nbsp;first innings itself.
This was after Australia were precariously placed at 140&nbsp;for 4 with Umesh Yadav (2/63 in 19 overs) providing a&nbsp;fantastic exhibition of reverse swing bowling.
The day belonged to Smith, who has now scored six Test hundreds against India in the last seven appearances. The&nbsp;pitch was low and slow to begin with and there wasn't much&nbsp;turn on offer for the Indian spin twins today.
With no help from the track, Ravichandran Ashwin (1/78 in 23 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/80 in 30 overs) had nothing&nbsp;special in their armoury to trouble the Australian skipper,&nbsp;who hit 13 boundaries in his innings.
For the record, the Australian captain also completed his&nbsp;5000 runs in Test cricket.
Smith came in at a time when Umesh was bowling quite well. He saw off that spell and then played all the Indian&nbsp;bowlers with ease.
He didn't show any hurried approach yet got the runs at a fair pace. With Maxwell hitting his share of sixes -- two off&nbsp;Jadeja apart from five fours --, Smith found it easier to&nbsp;disturb Jadeja's length.&nbsp;With no rough created on either side of the wicket,&nbsp;Jadeja's deliveries lacked any bite whatsoever.&nbsp;
Ashwin got a few past the bat but the slowness of the wicket helped the batsmen adjust their footwork.
Earlier, opting to bat after winning the toss, Australia reached 109 for three in their first innings at lunch at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) International Stadium.
The injuries to all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and pace spearhead Mitchell Starc have forced the visitors to bring in explosive all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins into the playing XI.
India made a lone change with opener Murali Vijay coming in to play his 50th Test replacing fellow Tamil Nadu opener Abhinav Mukund.
Brief scores: Australia 1st innings: 194 for four in 60 overs (Steven Smith batting 80, Matt Renshaw 44; Umesh Yadav 2/54)

Australia won the toss and elected to bat in the crucial third Test against India at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) International Stadium here on Thursday

Australia elect to bat vs India in third Test

India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh triangular series in 2018

Steve Smith continues to be India's&nbsp;nemesis as he scores a superb century to help Australia recover&nbsp;from early setbacks to reach a comfortable 299 for 4 on the&nbsp;first day of the third Test on Thursday

Ranchi Test: Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell guide Australia to 299 for 4 vs India

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