As it happened: India vs Australia: 3rd Test, Day 2

Catch all the updates from the second day's play from the third of the India vs Australia Test series being played at Melbourne Park.

Cheteshwar Pujara celebrates after scoring his 17th Test century, second of the India vs Australia Test series.

Good morning.

Welcome to Sportstar's live update coverage of the second day's play of the third Test.

Third session updates:

Australia negotiated seven overs on Day Two and it has survived the testing few minutes. It has ended the day on 8 for no loss, trailing India by 435 runs. India tried with two quicks and one spinner but couldn't get the breakthrough.

There was some jitters when Jasprit Bumrah banged a short one in and Marcus Harris ducked in, only for the ball to bang on the helmet. The last ball of the day however almost got India a wicket but the edge of Aaron Finch falls short of Virat Kohli in the slip cordon.

That's a surprise declaration at 443/7. Ajinkya Rahane fell soon after tea and Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma consolidated for a bit before a rush of adrenaline did Pant in, not before Rohit crafted another Test 50, his first outside Asia since Sydney 2015. Ravindra Jadeja didn't last long and Virat Kohli called them in at the fall of Jadeja.

Tim Paine is having a whale of time behind the stumps.

Here is what he had to say. Tim Paine: The king of zingers!

FOLLOW LIVE

Second session update:

This session has belonged to Australia. India managed to score 69 runs in this session but more importantly lost Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. The captain departing in an attempt to accelerate the scoring while Pujara was a tad unlucky, with the ball keeping low and breaching his defence.

However, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma have consolidated in the last hour or so. The duo have added 47 runs in 104 balls as India trudges to 346/4 at tea.

Read: Pujara slams 17th Test 100, creates record

First session update:

Resuming at 215/2, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli kept the Australians at bay and stitched an unbeaten 154 runs partnership (374 balls) for the third wicket. The duo has now batted for two whole sessions.

Pujara brought up his 17th Test match 100 while Kohli looks in complete control to add another century to his tally.

Australia had its chances, half-chances but couldn't latch on to even one. They bowlers and fielders toiled hard in the heat, without any success.

It has been India's session and it goes into the lunch break on 277/2.

By the way, we have a stat for you.

Since 1 Jan 2017, Cheteshwar Pujara is the only batsman to face over 4000 balls in Test cricket!
He has so far faced 4633 balls in 40 innings i.e. facing an ave of 116 balls per innings.
Next best: 3796 balls in 39 innings by Virat Kohli (ave balls/inns: 97)#AusvInd#AusvsInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 27, 2018

 

India dominated Day 1 and finished at 215/2 with both Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in good nick.

India started the Test well with debutant Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari starting off well and then Kohli and Pujara cashing on the good foundation laid. Here is the Day One report .