India vs Australia, 4th Test Day 1 in Sydney, Highlights: As it happened

Live Updates: 126 runs from 38 overs with the loss of just two wickets in the final session of the day. A brilliant knock from Pujara as he brought up his third 100 of the series. India won the toss and opted to bat against Australia in the fourth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Virat Kohli & Co are aiming to create history by registering their maiden Test series win Down Under. India are leading the four match Test rubber 2-1. India have made two changes to their side - KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav in; Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma out. Australia also made two changes - Marnus Labuschagne and Peter Handscomb replacing Mitchell Marsh and Aaron Finch. (FULL SCORECARD AND COVERAGE) Follow India vs Australia Live Cricket Score and Updates here -

12:30 hrs IST

Stumps on Day 1

The last session also belongs to India as Pujara and Vihari walk off. Pujara remains unbeaten on 130 and Vihari is on 39. 126 runs from 38 overs with the loss of just two wickets in the final session of the day. A brilliant knock from Pujara as he brought up his third 100 of the series. Australia will need to come back strongly on the second day in Sydney.

12:20 hrs IST

Three overs left in the day

Brilliant batting from the Indians against the second new ball as both Vihari and Pujara have looked to attack the bad ball. The Australian bowlers have also been very inconsistent with the new ball and that has helped the Indian batsmen as they look to play out the day without losing any more wickets.

12:10 hrs IST

Hanuma looking to punish the bowlers

With the new ball travelling faster, Hanuma is looking to hit the bad balls straight to the boundary as India look to finish the day off in style. Starc and Hazlewood have both failed to provide the consistency that is expected from the senior campaigners with the new ball.

12:00 hrs IST

Seven overs to go

With seven overs left in the day, Pujara and Vihari will look to ensure that they play out the session till stumps without losing another wicket here. The new ball won’t be easy for the new batsman to handle at the fag end of the day. This day has so far belonged to the Indians.

11:50 hrs IST

Second new ball is here

With the old ball failing to help Australia make any inroads, the Australians have taken the second new ball here and Hazlewood starts off with the new cherry as Vihari and Pujara look to play out the day here. Australia will want a couple of wickets with this new ball tonight before they come out all guns blazing on Thursday morning.

11:37 hrs IST

Pujara and Vihari looking to get the attack going

Pujara has opened up further after his third ton of the series and is looking to dismiss any bad ball from his presence. Vihari too is looking to make the Australians pay for the bad balls. The Indians have clearly dominated the opening day’s play here.

11:26 hrs IST

3rd century of the series for Pujara

What an amazing player Pujara is turning into. Even as most batsmen have found it tough to score runs, Pujara brings up his third century of the series with a flick to the long leg boundary. Skipper Kohli is all smiles in the dressing room as he knows the importance of Pujara and his runs.

11:20 hrs IST

Stat attack

Rahane 18 (55) dismissed by Starc

· 2nd time Starc has dismissed Rahane in Tests, first time in this series

· Back to back caught behind (by keeper) dismissals for Rahane

· He now has failed to score a 50+ score in his last 4 innings

· This is Starc’s 199th Test wicket

11:12 hrs IST

Starc sends back Rahane for 18

That was a brilliant ball from Starc as it rose steeply and takes the edge for Paine to complete a good catch behind the wicket. Not the kind of dismissal that Rahane would have wanted after spending quality time in the middle. Rahane has had a poor series and this might make the selectors take a look at his career. Quite a few tough series in recent times for the India deputy.

11:00 hrs IST

Rahane keen to spend time in the middle

No poor shots here from the India’s Test deputy as Rahane looks to provide support to Pujara. Every run will be crucial on this wicket as the ball is keeping low on and off. Pujara has moved to 84 and is on course to hit another century in this series. Rahane too will look to make a mark here after a couple of good innings so far in the series.

10:50 hrs IST

Pujara moves into the 80s

Another hundred in the offing for Pujara here. Can he make it three hundreds in the series here at Sydney? Rahane giving him good support here and has played out 37 balls without looking in any form of discomfort. The score reads 211/3 with Lyon looking for a wicket to break this partnership.

10:40 hrs IST

Inconsistent bounce on display

The pitch is already behaving inconsistently here on the first day. Rahane and Pujara will want to make every run count here because batting last on this wicket will be difficult for the Australians. This is where the drop-in pitches make game slightly toss-oriented.

10:30 hrs IST

Rahane showing application

Unlike the previous few innings, Rahane is looking to buy time in the middle. No wrong attempts to attack the Australian bowlers here as he knows the importance of holding fort with Pujara here as the India no.3 has looked in great form here.

10:20 hrs IST

Australia looking for wickets

With Kohli back in the hut and Rahane not looking as comfortable as he would a couple of seasons back, the Australians are looking at a couple more wickets here to get into the lower-order. Paine knows that it will not be easy for them to bat last on this wicket.

10:10 hrs IST

Rahane and Pujara look to stitch partnership

After Kohli, it is now Rahane’s turn to look and provide support to Pujara who is looking extremely comfortable at the crease even as the ball is starting to keep low and that is not a good sign as Australia have to bat last on this wicket.

10:00 hrs IST

Hazlewood gets Kohli for 23

That is clearly against the script as Kohli is caught by Tim Paine down the leg side off Hazlewood’s bowling. This is not something that Kohli was expecting. The ball was down the leg and Kohli looked to hit that to the fine-leg fence, but the ball got slightly big on him. Just how Australia would have wanted to start post the tea break.

09:40 hrs IST

Session 2 goes to India

108 runs scored with just the loss of one wicket. This session definitely belongs to India and with both Kohli and Pujara looking in fine flow, the last session could be a long and tiring one for the hosts. 177/2 reads the score for India after Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first.

09:36 hrs IST

Pujara continues fine run

Second fifty of the series for Pujara to go with the two centuries that he has already hit. The average is close to 63 for him in the series and Pujara has looked the best in this innings as he has attacked every bad ball. Kohli too is impressed by the show of his No.3 batsman.

09:30 hrs IST

Kohli and Pujara hold fort

The duo have batted really well and with just 10 minutes to go for the tea break, both Kohli and Pujara will want to bring in the best of their defensive game and ensure that they do not lose any more wickets going into the break. This session has definitely belonged to the Indians.

09:20 hrs IST

Australians looking for a breakthrough

The Australians understand the need of getting a wicket here before Kohli and Pujara settle into another mammoth partnership. Tim Paine will need to get some plan working here because both Kohli and Pujara are standing ground and looking completely comfortable.

09:10 hrs IST

Pujara faces 1000 balls in the series

What a player this guy is. Just that he isn’t as expressive as some of the other stars in the line-up. Pujara has now played a 1000 balls in this series and he is definitely one of the reasons why India have done so well in this tour of Australia. Kohli too has often spoken about the impact Pujara has had in this series.

09:00 hrs IST

Kohli showing signs of settling down

India skipper Kohli is once again showing sense of comfort at the middle and that is not a good sign for the Australian bowlers. Pujara too looking to attack the Australian bowlers and the longer these two stay in the middle, the more troublesome it will get for the Australians as they will once again bat last on this wicket.

08:48 hrs IST

Pujara looking to keep the scoreboard moving

Unlike other games, Pujara is looking to stay positive and dominate Lyon and the other Australian bowlers. Kohli and Pujara will look to make sure that the Australian bowlers cannot dominate in the second session as Mayank stole the show in the first session. Important for Australia to pick a few quick wickets here.

08:35 hrs IST

Kohli starts with a boundary

That one races through covers in typical Kohli style as he reaches out to the Hazlewood delivery and turns that into a driveable delivery. The crowd is loving it as this is only the 4th ball of the innings for Kohli. Looking to be positive from the word go here.

08:28 hrs IST

Lyon gets Mayank for 77

One hit too many from Mayank as he had just hit Lyon for a six and this time Mitchell Starc takes the catch at long on as the opener walks back for a 112-ball 77. The Australians are celebrating as India skipper Virat Kohli walks in to join Pujara in the middle.

08:17 hrs IST

Stat Attack: Mayank Agarwal

· 2nd half-century for Mayank in Tests. He now has scored atleast 40 runs in his last 3 innings.

· Mayank Agarwal is only the 3rd Indian opener after Sunil Gavaskar and Prithvi Shaw to score 2 fifties in the first 3 career innings at the opening position.

· He becomes the 8th Indian opener to have scored atleast 2 50+ scores in Australia.

· 4th consecutive instance for India at the SCG that atleast 1 opener has scored a 50+ score. (Gambhir 83 in 3rd inns in 2012, Rahul 110 in 2nd inns in 2015, Vijay 80 in 4th inns in 2015)

08:11 hrs IST

Fifty for Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal brings up his fifty with a beautiful shot through the point region. Peter Siddle tried hard to prevent the boundary but it was a perfect way to bring up the milestone for Mayank. India 94/1

08:04 hrs IST

Good news for India

India have never lost in the 21 tests when Virat Kohli has won the toss and the skipper gave his team the best possible start to the day by winning a 22nd before choosing to bat.

07:58 hrs IST

India on top

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been quite expensive in the second session till now. While Pat Cummins gave away five runs including a wide in one delivery, Starc was taken to the cleaners by both Pujara and Agarwal. Good show by the duo as India are 83 for the loss of one wicket in 27 overs.

07:52 hrs IST

Series till now

India have taken an unassailable 2-1 series lead after winning the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs and the third Test in Melbourne by 137 runs. Australia had won the second Test in Perth by 146 runs.

07:45 hrs IST

Second Session

Welcome to the second session on Day 1 and right now, India are firmly in control. Mayank Agarwal (42*) is eight runs away from a well deserved fifty while Cheteshwar Pujara has played a patient innings on the other end and he is batting on 17 off 61 balls. India 70/1

07:31 hrs IST

Lunch Report

Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara built a solid 59-run partnership as India battled to 69 for one at lunch on the opening day of the decisive fourth and final Test. The visitors lead the series 2-1 after winning the opening clash in Adelaide and the third one in Melbourne. Australia claimed victory in Perth. If India, the world’s top-ranked nation, win or draw in Sydney they will clinch a first-ever series in Australia since first touring Down Under in 1947-48.

07:06 hrs IST

Lunch on Day 1

India 69/1 (Mayank Agarwal 42*, Cheteshwar Pujara 16*) at lunch on Day 1 against Australia in Sydney. India had a disappointing start to their innings with KL Rahul losing his wicket early. But the duo of Pujara and Agarwal has played brilliantly and Australia need a breakthrough fast!

06:58 hrs IST

Lyon into the attack

Australia has opted for spin in the 21st over and it is their ever reliable Nathan Lyon. The Sydney pitch is well known for the assistance it provides to spinners and it will be interesting to see how the ‘GOAT’ uses it to his advantage. India 65/1

06:50 hrs IST

Chin Music for Agarwal

A consistent short ball strategy for Mayank Agarwal as both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are sticking to the plan. Mayank is a strong player off the back foot and as a result, they are trying to induce a rash shot from the opener. India 62/1

06:44 hrs IST

Stat Attack: Pujara-Agarwal

50 run partnership between Agarwal-Pujara

· 2nd 50 run stand between this pair

· 2nd time India has put up 50 runs in the last 3 innings for the 2nd wicket.

· 4th consecutive 2nd wicket 50 run partnership for India at the SCG.

06:37 hrs IST

Both teams wearing armbands

The Indian and Australian cricketers were all wearing black armbands on Day 1 of the fourth Test encounter in Sydney. While the sentiment was same, the reasons were different for both sides. Read full story here.

06:26 hrs IST

Australia lose first review

06:18 hrs IST

50 up for India

50 up for India in 14 overs. The dismissal of KL Rahul threatened to derail them early but it has been a steady show from Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara. India 51/1

06:10 hrs IST

India comfortably placed

Mayank Agarwal, who impressed in his debut Test with a half-century in the first innings, is well on his way to another half century and this can be crucial for the hosts. The opener has stitched together a good partnership with the dependable Cheteshwar Pujara and India can be looking at a good score before lunch. India 47/1

06:03 hrs IST

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka

New Zealand have put a line under their Test series win over Sri Lanka and switched to World Cup mode with the first of three one-day internationals in Tauranga. Follow live score and updates here.

05:55 hrs IST

Mayank Agarwal show

It has been a great start for Mayank Agarwal and he is looking extremely comfortable against the Australia pace attack. He is looking to play cautiously on most occasions but a loose ball from Pat Cummins was punched to the boundary through the extra cover region. India 31/1

05:49 hrs IST

Starc eyes milestone

Mitchell Starc is only 4 wickets away completing 200 Test wickets. He will become the 17th Australian, 12th pacer from the nation and 2nd left-arm pacer after Mitchell Johnson to take 200 Test wickets for Australia.

05:41 hrs IST

Agarwal confident

Mayank Agarwal is looking in fine touch as he is playing quite confidently against the Australia pacers. A straight drive off Pat Cummins followed by a boundary through the covers and the purple patch continues for the opener. India 31/1

05:35 hrs IST

First bowling change

Pat Cummins replaces Mitchell Starc and the fast bowler has been quite impressive in the series till now. With KL Rahul losing his wicket early, India are under a bit of pressure and a wicket here will firmly put Australia in control. India 24/1

05:29 hrs IST

Video: KL Rahul’s dismissal

05:22 hrs IST

Pujara, Agarwal fight back

Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal are playing quite cautiously and with the ball getting swing off the turf, both the batsman will be looking to play out these initial overs. India 22/1

05:16 hrs IST

Stat Attack: KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been dismissed on 9 (6) by Hazlewood

· Hazlewood has dismissed Rahul 4 times in Rahul’s last 5 innings.

· 3rd caught out dismissal for Rahul in his last 5 innings.

· 4th consecutive single digit score for Rahul, he now has 6 single digit scores in his last 8 innings.

05:10 hrs IST

Hazlewood gets KL Rahul

Early breakthrough for Australia as Josh Hazlewood dismisses KL Rahul for 9, IND 10/1. The ball kept straight and Rahul ended up giving an easy catch to Shaun Marsh in second slip. Rahul was looking quite nervous from the beginning and he has now wasted another opportunity to prove his mettle.

05:06 hrs IST

Good start for Starc

Early movement for Mitchell Starc and KL Rahul is not looking confident at all against the new ball. He edged Starc twice in the first over and on one occasion, the ball was quite close to the slip fielder. India 10/0

05:00 hrs IST

Let’s play!

Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul to begin proceedings for India as Hanuma Vihari will be playing in his usual position. Mitchell Starc will be bowling the first over for the hosts as they look to bounce back in the series.

04:55 hrs IST

Captains speak at the toss

“It will be tougher to bat as the game goes on, so ideal for us to bat,” said Virat Kohli at the toss. “We haven’t discussed the series win, we’re focused on this game, and this is just an opportunity to win a Test.”

“We need to improve on all areas, need to do the basics better. Ball-by-ball, bit of an old-school cliche,” said Australia skipper Tim Paine.

04:47 hrs IST

Stat Attack: India winning the toss

Back to back toss wins for Kohli and team India.

3rd toss won by Kohli in this series.

This is the 4th time that India have won the toss 3 times in a Test series in Australia. (2003-2004, 91-92, 67-68 were the other 3 series that India had won 3 tosses)

Tim Paine loses yet another toss as captain of Australia. He now has lost 6 tosses out the 7 matches captaining Australia.

This is 3rd time out of the last 4 matches at the SCG that the visiting team has won the toss.

19th consecutive times INDIA have opted to bat first after winning the toss & have won 17 out their last such 18 Tests after winning the toss and bat 1st.

04:38 hrs IST

Two changes for India

India XI: KL Rahul, M Agarwal, C Pujara, V Kohli(c), A Rahane, H Vihari, R Pant(w), R Jadeja, K Yadav, M Shami, J Bumrah. Rahul, Kuldeep in; Rohit, Ishant out.

04:35 hrs IST

India opt to bat

Virat Kohli has won the toss and India will be batting first. It was a crucial toss to win as the pitch looks like a good batting surface and with the ball traditionally spinning at Sydney, it will be a tough task to bat in the fourth innings.

04:33 hrs IST

Australia XI

Australia (Playing XI): Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Tim Paine(w/c), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

04:27 hrs IST

Finch Dropped?

Reports coming from Sydney suggest Aaron Finch dropped; Marnus Labuschagne to bat at No. 3. The hosts are set to make two changes with Labuschagne and Handscomb replacing Mitchell Marsh and Aaron Finch. For India, Kuldeep Yadav is practising at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Will he get his first match of the series?

04:22 hrs IST

Tim Paine confident

Tim Paine insisted on Wednesday that his priority was to develop his inexperienced cricket team for the future even as they face the prospect of losing a home series against India for the first time. But he pledged that Australia would still pick the “best XI that we think is the best combination to win this Test” once they had seen the Sydney pitch.

04:16 hrs IST

India to wear black armbands

Indian players to wear black armbands in memory of Ramkant Achrekar who passed away last night. Achrekar was a coaching giant in the Mumbai cricketing circles and was Sachin Tendulkar first coach. Read more about the coach here.

04:10 hrs IST

Injury Concerns

Leading 2-1 in the four-match series, India remain firm favourites to make it 3-1 at the Sydney Cricket Ground despite serious fitness issue pertaining to their premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and senior pacer Ishant Sharma, who has not been named in the 13-member list.

04:04 hrs IST

History Lesson

Australia have hosted India since 1947-48, and barring three occasions – in 1980-81, 1985-86 and 2003-04 which were drawn – the visitors have lost the Test series on seven occasions -- 1967-68, 1977-78, 1991-92, 1999-2000, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2014-15.

03:55 hrs IST

Hello and welcome

Welcome to the coverage of the fourth Test encounter between India and Australia. India had won the first test followed by a loss in the second. In the third game, the visitor registered a morale boosting 137 runs victory. On Thursday, India will embark on a bid to end 70 long years of fruitless attempts to win a test series in Australia from a similar position of strength, 2-1 up with one to play after a crushing victory in Melbourne.