Placid pitch suits Indians
A docile drop-in pitch and unbeaten 92-run stand between India’s two best batsmen frustrated Australia on day one of the third test in Melbourne, where the tourists finished 215-2.
Virat Kohli won the allimportant toss on Boxing Day then strolled to the crease, amid some boos from the 73,516-strong crowd, at 123-2 after debutant Mayank Agarwal’s dismissal on 76 ended the post-lunch session.
Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara looked remarkably comfortable throughout yesterday’s final session at the MCG, enhancing India’s hopes of taking a 2-1 series lead as they hunt a maiden test series win in Australia.
The only exception was a late burst from Mitchell Starc, during which Tim Paine put down a low one-handed chance when Kohli was on 47.
Pujara will resume on 68, eyeing his second ton of the series. Kohli finished 47 not out. His seventh test ton in Australia is no fait accompli but Paine’s team, having already delivered seven overs with the second new ball, could need something special to dismiss Kohli.
The world’s best batsman was on 32 when Paine unsuccessfully reviewed Nathan Lyon’s lbw shout, with replays hinting at how desperate the hosts were to conjure a breakthrough.
Pujara had a rare nervous moment facing Mitch Marsh on 33, when an edge ballooned off the pad and fell short of a diving Usman Khawaja at gully, but was otherwise in his element as the visitors attempted to grind Australia’s star-studded attack into submission.
Recalled allrounder Marsh, who was booed by some fans presumably frustrated by Victorian Peter Handscomb’s omission, has already delivered 15 overs.
Pat Cummins was the pick of Australia’s bowlers.
The paceman struck the helmet of Hanuma Vihari then dismissed the batsman, promoted to open in a new-look order, with a delivery that clipped the glove off an awkward length and sailed to Aaron Finch at second slip. Cummins also removed Agarwal, caught behind down the leg side.