Former Australia captain Steve Smith, who was struggling in the first two Tests against India, has registered another Test century on day two of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. With this, he scored his 27th Test century equalling India captain Virat Kohli, Graeme Smith, and former great Allan Border, and while reaching the feat in his 136th innings, he also became the second-fastest to do so - only behind Sir Don Bradman (70 innings).

The century also helped him with most Test hundreds against India (8) and joint-most with Sir Garfield Sobers, Viv Richards, and Ricky Ponting as well. His stunning 131 took Australia to 338 after the hosts' found themselves struggling at 255/6. He first stitched a 100- run stand with Marnus Labhuschagne (91) and was the last wicket to fall as well that too by a direct hit from Ravindra Jadeja after adding another 82 runs to the total with the tailenders. Notably, in the first two Tests, Smith could only manage 1, 1*, 0, and 8. However, this is also his first home Test century since 2017.

"I'm reading a lot of things people say that I’m out of form but think I think there’s a difference between out of form and out of runs," Smith said to the Fox Cricket at the drinks break. "Just nice to score a few and maybe keep a few people quiet."