India caught out as Aussies fire in the field

India and Australia, countries separated by only one spot on the ICC's Test team rankings, could not be further apart in their fielding abilities, at least if day two of the first Test was any indication.

Day 2: Australia's spinners rip through India in Pune

On Friday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Australia – in particular Peter Handscomb – held onto every catch that came in their direction, while India grassed four opportunities as the first Test careened towards the tourists.

Having lost 7-11, been bowled out for 105 in 40.1 overs and conceded a 155-run first-innings deficit, India needed to grasp everything if they were to claw their way back into the match.

It wasn’t to be, as Murali Vijay and substitute fielder Abhinav Mukund each put down two chances, three offered by Australia skipper Steve Smith, who finished the day unbeaten 59 with his chargers 298 runs ahead with six wickets in hand.

In the 15th over when Smith was on 23, he offered a sharp catch to Vijay at leg slip from the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin, but the fielder couldn’t hold on.

Five overs and six runs later, an advancing Smith chipped Ravindra Jadeja to Mukund at mid-on who, despite his best efforts, couldn’t complete what would have been a brilliant catch diving forward and to his right.

Quick Single: Thirty-eight minutes of carnage in Pune

Smith’s third and final reprieve came on 37 when again he advanced, this time to Ashwin, clipping the off-spinner off his legs and into Mukund at short leg, who managed to get two hands to the ball but still couldn’t hang on.

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke, commentating for Star Sports, said the opportunity was "as easy as it gets".

Vijay put down the fourth chance – this time when Matthew Renshaw was on 25 – after throwing out his right hand at second slip in an effort snare the batsman’s top-edged reverse sweep. Had Vijay’s instincts not taken over, Renshaw’s edge would have flown straight to Ajinkya Rahane at first slip and Jayant Yadav would likely have had his first wicket of the day.

"We dropped a few catches that’s one thing that has hurt us in the past as well," India coach Anil Kumble said after play.

"Especially in this game, you need to hold onto your chances and even if it’s a half-chance.

"We dropped Steve Smith on a couple of occasions.

"That certainly has pushed us back a little bit so hopefully tomorrow morning we’ll be able to pick up a few early wickets and put pressure on their batters."

In complete contrast, Australia fielded with super glue on their hands during India’s first innings.

Handscomb pulled off three crucial catches, each grab more impressive than the last and each in a different position on the ground.

The Victorian, fielding at first slip in the absence of the unwell Renshaw, caught Virat Kohli for a second-ball duck after the Indian captain edged a wide a 147kph bullet from Mitchell Starc.

He followed it up with a pearler at second slip to remove Rahane, who was squared up by day-two wrecking ball Stephen O’Keefe and was caught just inches above the ground at full stretch.

To complete the trio that could sweep gold, silver and bronze if catching was an Olympic sport (that’s not a bad idea), Handscomb dove forward at short leg to snare a ballooning ball that had been edged by Ashwin onto his boot.

Matthew Wade also chipped in, displaying lightning-fast reflexes to stump Jayant and hand O'Keefe his fourth wicket.

O’Keefe, who captured career-best figures of 6-35, was full of praise for Handscomb and sympathised with the opposition on a day dominated by the visitors.

"He's such an exceptional fielder, batsman and all-round player,” O’Keefe said of the Victorian, who is also a part-time wicketkeeper.

"He works hard on that consistently so it's no surprise to us when he takes those great grabs.

"On the flip side for India, that can happen in a game of cricket.

"I'm sure we'll go through periods where we don't field as well as we'd like.

"I know Abhinav Mukund pretty well, he's one of the nicest blokes I've ever met and I know he works hard on his game.

"It didn't go his way, it's tough when you're 12th man. Fortunately for us we held our chances."