Steve Smith has struck an unbeaten century for Australia on day one of the third Test against India in Ranchi.
The tourists' captain (117*) played a patient knock and shared an unbeaten stand of 159 with Glenn Maxwell to help the Baggy Greens recover from 140-4 to close on 299-4.
It was Smith's 19th Test ton and second of the series, passing teammate David Warner's 18 and matching the mark of Australia legends Mark Taylor and Mike Hussey.
Meanwhile Maxwell's 82*, including two sixes, comfortably beat his previous Test best of 37, and he will be looking to reach triple figures himself on day two.
Australia made a positive start, having won the toss, and had raced to 50 before Warner (19) was caught and bowled by Ravindra Jadeja (1-80) in the 10th over.
Umesh Yadav then had Matt Renshaw caught at slip and Ravichandran Ashwin (1-78) removed Shaun Marsh (2) a couple of overs later.
A 51-run partnership between Smith and Peter Handscomb was then broken by Yadav (2-62) during the afternoon session, Handscomb (19) lbw in the 43rd over, before Smith and Maxwell saw their side through to stumps.
Giuseppe Labellarte
