India vs. Australia: Steve Smith Scores 131, Surpasses Virat Kohli In Test Records

Steve Smith surpassed Virat Kohli's Test runs tally on day two of the ongoing third Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday.

Smith scored 131 off 226 balls after Australia opted to bat in the New Year's Test. With the knock, Smith went past Kohli's 7,318 Test runs. The World No. 3 Test batsman now has scored 7,368 runs in 136 innings at an excellent average of 61.91, in comparison to Kohli's average of 53.41.

With the century, the former Australian skipper also matched Kohli's 27 centuries. The Indian skipper claimed the feat during India's maiden day-night Test at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, which was his 84th appearance in Test cricket. Smith, on the other hand, took only 76 Tests to reach 27 centuries in the longest format of the game.

Overall, Smith – who recently was named the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Decade – was the second-fastest cricketer to reach 27 Test centuries. Sir Don Bradman took only 70 innings to reach the landmark, in comparison to Smith's 136 innings and Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar's 141 innings.

Prior to the ongoing SCG Test, Smith had been struggling to find his groove with the bat. In the first two Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne, Smith had scores of 1,1 (not out) and 0, 8.

Coming into the third Test in Sydney, Smith was under immense pressure, but he let his bat do the talking. Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had dismissed Smith twice in the series. On Friday, the off-spinner gave Marnus Labuschagne an easy single to get Smith on strike and have another go at him. However, the Aussie responded calmly and with confidence. His body language and great footwork let him settle down at the crease.

Smith shared a 100-run stand with Labuschagne for the third wicket before the latter was out for 91. Even though the Indian bowlers produced an excellent show on the second day at SCG, Smith stuck at the other hand and went on to partner Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine and Pat Cummins after the departure of Labuschagne.

Half-centuries from Will Pucovski and Labuschagne along with a hundred from Smith helped Australia post 338 before getting bowled out in 105.4 on day two.