India strike back after Renshaw's brisk start

India pegged back Australia's brisk start to their first innings by taking three wickets in the opening session of the third Test in Ranchi on Thursday.

Australia elected to bat after winning the toss in their 800th Test and were 109 for three at lunch after a 50-run opening stand between Matt Renshaw, who made 44, and David Warner who was the first man to fall when he had reached 19.

Skipper Steve Smith was not out 34 and Peter Handscomb was on six at the break.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja struck in his first over as the left-handed Warner gave an easy return catch to the bowler off a full toss.

The dismissal of the aggressive Warner put the brakes on the Australian run-rate which had been clipping along at above five an over at one stage.

Renshaw hit seven boundaries during his 63-ball knock before undoing his hard work by edging a wide Umesh Yadav delivery, with India captain Virat Kohli taking the catch at first slip.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin then accounted for Shaun Marsh who was initially given not out after being caught at forward short-leg before India successfully overturned it when the decision review system (DRS) showed the ball had pooped up off bat and pad.

While tensions have been simmering between the two sides after Kohli accused Australia of abusing DRS at the last Test in Bangalore, things settled down after play started at India's newest Test venue.

The four-match series is tantalisingly poised at 1-1 with India needing at least a draw to have any chance of winning back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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