India’s top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara struck a blistering century while skipper Virat Kohli well-supported him with an impressive fifty as India ended day two of the third Test on a strong position at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.
At the end of the day’s play, Australia reached 8-0 in their first innings, with Aaron Finch (three) and Marcus Harris (five) batting at the crease, The hosts still trail India by 435 runs after the visitors declared their first innings at 443/7.
Resuming at an overnight score of 215/2, Kohli and Pujara continued their rich vein of form as the duo went on to stitch a huge 170-run stand to guide India close to 300-run mark.
Meanwhile, Pujara (106) also notched up his 17th Test century off 280 balls. He reached the second century of the series and fourth against Australia by scoring a boundary off Nathan Lyon’s delivery in the 113rd over.
Kohli (82), on the other hand, brought up his 20th Test fifty off 110 balls. It is the Indian skipper’s fourth Test half-century against Australia and fifth of this year. He has now also scored 50-plus scores in three consecutive innings at the MCG.
After Pujara and Kohli’s dismissal, Rohit Sharma (63) rebuilt India’s innings as he not only scored his 10th Test half-century off 97 ball but also shared crucial stands of 62 and 76 with Ajinkya Rahane (34) and Rishabh Pant (39), respectively to guide India past 400-run mark before declaration.
For Australia, Pat Cummins was pick of the bowlers as he bagged three for 72, followed by Mitchell Starc’s figures of two for 87. Josh Hazlewood and Nathan lyon also chipped in with a wicket each.
