India vs Australia Score, 3rd Test, Day 1 in Melbourne, Highlights: As it happened

12:30 hrs IST

STUMPS on DAY 1

One over short here as the umpires call stumps here on the opening day of the third Test at Melbourne. Kohli batting on 47 and Pujara unbeaten on 68. Star of the show definitely Mayank Agarwal as he scored a quality 76. 92 runs scored without losing a wicket in the final session. The score reads 215/2

12:19 hrs IST

Kohli gets a life on 47

India skipper Kohli cannot believe his luck as he gets a life on 47. Tough low catch to his right, but Tim Paine is known to be one of the better keepers in world cricket at the moment and he should have held onto that one. Starc cannot believe his luck at the fag end of the day’s play. Just the type of things that you wish goes your way after a long day on the ground.

12:10 hrs IST

Looking for some wickets here are the Aussies

Bowling full throttle are the Australian pace bowlers and looking to use the new cherry to good effect. But Kohli and Pujara have been on the mark and looking solid here. Both on the front and backfoot, the duo have been very positive in their approach. The scoring rate slightly on the slower side, but that can be made up for on the second day. The score reads 203/2 in the 85th over.

12:00 hrs IST

New ball taken

Starc into the attack as the Aussie take the new ball two overs after it was due. Clearly the hosts want to have two bites at the new cherry and have ensured that they go in with the new one for a few overs now and then come back full throttle on the second morning. Kohli and Pujara must continue to show the application that has seen them bat so well so far in the final session.

11:50 hrs IST

Going into the last stretch of the day

10 overs left in the day’s play, but it is highly unlikely that the Australians will go for the complete quota. Technically play is to end in around 10 minutes from now, but that can be extended for another 30 mins here. Kohli and Pujara looking confident in the middle. The score reads 193/2.

11:40 hrs IST

Aussies looking to use the variable bounce

The pitch has looked a bit variable when it comes to the bounce. And that is what the Australian pacers have tried to use on and off. Hitting the deck and looking to make an impact. But the Indian batsmen have been taking the blows on the body and have looked determined to keep going after the aim of scoring big in the first innings.

11:30 hrs IST

Pujara and Kohli hold fort

No giving away the advantage here from the duo of Pujara and Kohli as the Australians are looking for at least one more wicket before the end of the day’s play here on the first day of the MCG Test. A packed house has been treated to some quality batting from the Indian top-order here.

11:20 hrs IST

Paine turns to Hazlewood

The Australian bowlers are starting to lose the plot somewhat here and Paine turns to his deputy Hazlewood as they look for one wicket here to break into the Indian middle-order which has not really shown much promise in this series so far. The score reads 174/2.

11:10 hrs IST

21st Test fifty for Pujara

A complete contrast to skipper Kohli, but mighty effective is Cheteshwar Pujara. Brings up his 21st Test fifty on Boxing Day at the historic MCG. An innings which once again has determination and application written all over it again. Kohli comes in to pat his workhorse for another quality knock.

11:00 hrs IST

Pujara slowly ticking away towards a 50

Even as Kohli is hogging all the limelight, Pujara has slowly moved towards another quality 50. He has shown application here and waited for the bad balls to put away. Kohli has moved to 29 as Pujara is now just four runs away from the 50-run mark. The score reads 167/2.

10:50 hrs IST

Kohli’s special MCG numbers

At the historic MCG, Kohli has a hundred and a fifty and averages over 50 across 5 innings and knowing the way Kohli bats, the record holds the India skipper in good stead. Kohli already looking good here so far as he moves closer to the 30-run mark. Pujara is already in the 40s.

10:40 hrs IST

Vintage Kohli on show

The flick-cum-on drive is out of the kitty as are the drives. Kohli is looking really solid in the middle and this could be bad signs for the Australians. The Aussies need to send him back early if they wish to keep India’s first innings score under check. Pujara too starting to open up with the drives and upper-cuts.

10:30 hrs IST

Starc and Cummins toiling hard

The Australians realise the need to dismiss these two batsmen if they are to make a comeback into this game here. Kohli and Pujara have been really good with playing every ball on its merit. Pujara is slowly moving towards the 40-run mark. The pitch is starting to aid the fast bowlers and that is a welcome sign for the Indian bowlers.

10:20 hrs IST

Kohli and Pujara look to consolidate

Back for the last session of the day, both Kohli and Pujara have the picture clear. They know they must bat out this session to ensure that India take the opening day’s honours. The wicket is getting faster as the sun bakes down on the wicket. The Australian pacers must keep toiling away.

10:10 hrs IST

Paine turns to Cummins to trouble Kohli

Kohli is looking good here with the ball hitting the middle of the bat, but Cummins as always is showing signs of troubling him here and there on and off. No wonder Paine has Cummins continuing after the tea interval. The Australians know the importance of getting this man before the end of the day’s play.

10:00 hrs IST

Kohli starts off in style

The vintage flick down the ground as the India skipper starts with a cool little double. Making his intentions very clear here as the Indians are looking to finish the final session in style. The first two sessions have definitely belonged to the Indians here on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

9:42 hrs IST

Agarwal has to depart

The relentless Cummins has the breakthrough. He banged the ball in and got it to climb. Mayank wanted to glance it away, but manages a glove to Paine. Well played young man but Australia have something to hold on to at Tea

9:37 hrs IST

Variable pace and bounce on the pitch

There are different patches on different areas on the pitch and this is causing uneven bounce and pace which will only increase as the pitch dries out further

9:27 hrs IST

Mitchell Marsh with a probing spell

The burly all-rounder has been decking the ball back into the batsmen. Pujara gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball just about carried to a diving Usman Khawaja at gully

9:11 hrs IST

Be amazed with this stat

Only the second time this year in 11 overseas Tests that India have crossed 100 and Virat Kohli has not yet arrived at the crease. First instance was at Nottingham in the second innings.

8:59 hrs IST

Stat attack- 50 partnership between Pujara and Mayank

· 1st 50 run partnership for the pair of Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal

· 1st 50 run partnership for the 2nd wicket by India in this series.

· 1st 50 run partnership for the 2nd wicket by India in 6 innings.

· Only the 3rd instance of a 50-run partnership for the 2nd wicket for India in this year away from home out of 21 innings.

· 3rd 50 run partnership by India for the 2nd wicket at the MCG in the last 5 innings.

8:55 hrs IST

Pujara dominating Lyon

Great use of the feet by the right-hander, forcing Nathan Lyon to vary his lengths. He has driven him and then rocked back for a late cut. Good passage of play for India

8:47 hrs IST

Brilliant crowd at the MCG

We have a new record for a Test match crowd in Australia in matches v India: 71,376 #AusvInd

— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) December 26, 2018

8:35 hrs IST

Lyon has found some good rhythm

The introduction of Lyon wouldn't be an issue if the pitch was spinning, given he's arguably the best in the world. It's not spinning though - Lyon's average deviation today is 2.8°, his lowest for the first innings of an Australian Test since 2013, also at the MCG. #AUSvIND https://t.co/ar99fM801z

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 26, 2018

8:33 hrs IST

He has to bat on

The pitch has quickened up as the moisture has dried out and this is a great chance for Mayank to stamp his authority all over the match. He has good support in Cheteshwar Pujara

8:19 hrs IST

50 for Mayank

Down the track, close to the pitch of the ball and bangs it down the ground for the second four of the over. He gets to his maiden 50 on his debut, he has looked good today

8:13 hrs IST

Mayank has looked solid

What has Mayank Agarwal done differently to India's other openers in this series? Well, he's looked to stay on the back foot far more. 40% of his shots against pace have been played with his weight back, more than India's other three openers on this tour. It's working. #AUSvIND

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 26, 2018

8:12 hrs IST

Patient Pujara

This pitch does not have the seam and movement to bother the batsmen, and Pujara will bed in here. That drive there sums up his game. Waiting for the bowler to come to him rather than reaching out for the balls

8:02 hrs IST

4 maidens in a row

After the boundary off the first ball, the Australians have chucked 4 maidens in a row. All this adds to the pressure, no way to go for the Indian batsmen as of now

7:55 hrs IST

Good accurate bowling

Hazlewood and Cummins are on the money, dropping the ball on a length and then hoping for some movement either ways. Agarwal has looked good so far against the challenge

7:42 hrs IST

Ready to roll after lunch

India won the first session, but Australia did not allow the visitors to gallop away and hence, they would want a couple of quick wickets in this session which could tilt the balance of this match

7:04 hrs IST

Lunch

Good session for India. Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal put on a patient stand for the first wicket. Cummins got the wicket of Vihari, but Agarwal has looked solid. He along with Pujara hold the key.

6:44 hrs IST

Short ball is causing a few concerns

The only ball which is creating few flutters here is the short ball and the batsmen have to be decisive in the way they approach this challenge

6:35 hrs IST

Stat Attack - Vihari dismissal

Only the second time he has been dismissed in a single digit score in his 5 innings.

4th consecutive times dismissed by a fast bowler.

Strike rate of 12.12 for Vihari; lowest SR for an Indian opener in an innings with 50+ balls faced since 2007.

Dravid was the last such Indian opener 5 off 66 (7.57) at the same MCG during Boxing Day Test.

6:34 hrs IST

India need to bat big here

The pitch seems to be flat, the sun is beating down, the conditions look perfect for a batting day. The batsmen have to dig deep and keep on batting

6:23 hrs IST

Cummins strikes

Australia find their first breakthrough and it is Pat Cummins who gets the job done. Bangs the ball in short, Vihari is in no position, he tries to fend it away, the ball takes the gloves and goes to slip

6:20 hrs IST

Solid, stoic Vihari

How do we interpret Vihari's 6* (63)? The ability to soak up pressure is admirable, but rotating the strike is still key even with low-risk shots. His dot-ball percentage is currently 92%, the highest for an innings by an Indian opener (30+ balls) since 2013. #AUSvIND

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 26, 2018

6:15 hrs IST

Vihari has stuck in

The pace of scoring is slow, but he has seen off the new ball and once the red ball wears out, it will be great to bat against. He has set the platform for Pujara and Kohli who follow

6:03 hrs IST

Cummins looks threatening

With his extra pace and ability to hit the surface, Cummins has already looked the best bowler on show today. He has hit both the batsmen with the shortish ball

5:49 hrs IST

Impressive so far from Mayank

It’s already India’s second best opening partnership of the series. Forget the pitch for a moment...and admire the way Mayank has responded on his Test debut. Impressive. #AusvInd #BoxingDay

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 26, 2018

5:43 hrs IST

Why is Nathan Lyon called ‘Garry’

However, Nathan Lyon is now known not only for his ability with the ball but for his unique nickname of ‘Gary’. It was wicketkeeper Mathew Wade who made the phrase ‘Nice Garry’ famous from behind the stumps.

Read more about it here.

5:39 hrs IST

Drives finding the fielders

Vihari’s balance while driving has been good, but he keeps the finding the fielder at mid on. He has to see off this phase and then get plenty of runs later in the day

5:32 hrs IST

Welcome Nathan Lyon

It is the 8th over of the innings and Tim Paine has thrown the ball to the champion offie Nathan Lyon. How will India play him today?

5:27 hrs IST

Pitch is relatively easier

In the first five overs of the Adelaide Test, there were 30% false shots. In the first five overs at Perth, there were 33% false shots. So far at Melbourne, there have been 10% false shots. #AUSvIND

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 25, 2018

5:27 hrs IST

Vihari still not off the mark

He has played few positive strokes, but has not yet got that first coveted run. Will it play on his mind? How will he react?

5:16 hrs IST

Mayank looking good

He is not looking to overhit the ball and the balance is perfect when he meets the ball. The pitch is slower than Perth and there is not too much swing on offer at the moment

5:00 hrs IST

Out walk the openers

Hanuma Vihari takes first guard, Mayank Agarwal is at the non-striker’s end. The nerves will be jangling. Starc with the new red ball

4:54 hrs IST

Challenge for the openers

India's openers have a serious challenge. Whilst both have remarkable FC records opening (Agarwal averaging 53.15, Vihari averaging 132.50), they will have played little cricket against the new ball in these conditions. Whether they step up may well decide the series. #AUSvIND

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 25, 2018

4:50 hrs IST

Vihari on the new challenge

It’s an exciting opportunity, opening the batting for India on a big occasion like this. We were looking to bat first because we know that this wicket might turn on day 3 and 4. We had four days off and three good sessions of practice. We are well prepared for this. This is more a mental battle now than a battle of skills.

4:44 hrs IST

Good beginning for India?

Virat Kohli’s record when he has won the toss:

Tests: 21*

Won: 17

Draw: 3

In eight away Tests he won the toss, India went on to win seven and draw one (vs Ban, Fatullah, 2015).

4:39 hrs IST

Playing XI

India XI: Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia XI: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh Tim Paine (c,wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

4:35 hrs IST

Toss - India win and bat first

We will make the first use of this surface. This pitch looks like a nice surface but it looks bit dry. So, it is going to be slower and slower. We are taking this Test as the last Test of this tour. We want to be at our best for this match. We have made three changes to the team.

4:28 hrs IST

Pitch report

There is a nice covering of grass on this pitch. The pitch curator has experimented with the playing surface a lot and eventually he has left 15mm of grass on it. There is a bit of moisture present on the deck too. This pitch doesn’t crumble a lot and captain should elect to field first.

4:22 hrs IST

Greatest player in the world

“And it is great because of this guy, Virat Kohli — the greatest cricketer on the planet. And now we have an Australian captain in Tim Paine, a class act. Toe to toe, box office,” Warne said in a video for Fox Sports, shared by Brett Lee on Facebook.

4:14 hrs IST

That beaming smile

A special moment for @mayankcricket who is all set to make his debut at the MCG 📸🇮🇳👌🏻 #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/r0J0eD9rXz

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 25, 2018

4:01 hrs IST

Kohli wants the batsmen to step up

“The batsmen must step up collectively. I won’t say individually whether someone needs to do that or not, but as a batting unit, we have to definitely put up a better performance,” Kohli sent out a loud and clear message for his batting unit.

3:46 hrs IST

Huge day for Mayank Agarwal

The young man from Karnataka is all set to make his Test debut and this promises to be a cracking day for him to stamp his authority on Test cricket.

This is what his coach expects from his ward.

3:41 hrs IST

Promises to be a spectacle

Boxing Day: 26C and fine. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ldSAiADTNB

— Andrew Faulkner (@AndrewFaulkner9) December 25, 2018

3:32 hrs IST

The Boxing day clash

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the 3rd Test between India and Australia from the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The series is all square at 1-1 and the team which clinches this match will have one hand on the Border-Gavaskar trophy