India vs Australia, 3rd Test Day 2 in Melbourne, Highlights: As It Happened

As It Happened: Australian openers Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch successfully ended the day’s play with 8/0. Australia trail India by 435 runs at stumps on Day 2. This after India opted to declare at 443/7 in the last session of the day. Cheteshwar Pujara top-scored with 106 while Virat Kohli was the second-highest scorer with 82. Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he ended with a three-wicket haul. (Full scorecard) Follow India-Australia live updates below -

12:35 hrs IST

End of the day’s play

That’s it folks, Finch and Harris survive Bumrah’s over and with that we have reached the end of day’s play today. Australia end day at 8/0 and trail India by 435 runs at stumps on Day 2. Harris is batting on 5 while Finch is batting on 3.

12:28 hrs IST

Bowling change

Ravindra Jadeja came to bowl in the final few minutes of the day and went through his six balls very quickly. He bowled a maiden over as well to Aaron Finch. Jasprit Bumrah will now bowl the last over of the day.

12:22 hrs IST

Injury break

Jasprit Bumrah bowls a bouncer from around the wicket and Marcus Harris tried to duck but the ball didn’t rise much and crashed into his helmet. The Indian players are checking up on the southpaw if he is alright and the physio is also out now.

12:18 hrs IST

Good start by Indian pacers

Both Ishant and Bumrah are bowling tight at the moment and they haven’t bowled a single wayward delivery so far to put the pressure of the two Aussie batsmen, who just want to see the day out today.

12:11 hrs IST

Good over from Ishant

Ishant concedes just two runs from the first over of the innings and he kept the batsmen under check. Jasprit Bumrah will now bowl the second over of the day as India will look to picks a wicket or two in the final few overs of the day.

12:05 hrs IST

Ishant to bowl first over

Ishant Sharma has the new ball in his hands and he will bowl the first over to Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch. The first ball is jaffer as it pitches and goes away from the body of Harris.

11:59 hrs IST

Virat Kohli opts to declare

After Ravindra Jadeja’s dismissal, Virat Kohli has come out and he asks the batsmen to return as India opt to declare for 443/7. Rohit Sharma remains not out at 63 as India want Australian openers for bat for the final few overs of the day.

11:54 hrs IST

Jadeja on the attack straightaway

Ravindra Jadeja hits a boundary on the first ball that he faces and then gets dismissed in the same over by Hazlewood who picks his first wicket of the innings.

11:48 hrs IST

Pant falls in trying to score quick runs

The message seems to be clear - hit runs quickly. And after scoring a boundary, Pant skies a Starc delivery and is caught in the slips by Khawaja. India have lose their sixth wicket now. Ravindra Jadeja makes his way into the middle now.

11:35 hrs IST

Stat attack

This is Rohit’s 10th half century in Tests and second against the Australians and second in Australia. His first 50+ score this year in Tests and first 50 in seven innings in the longest format. Also, this is his first 50 in 10 innings outside Asia in Tests. The last time he scored a 50 outside Asia was in 2015 against Australia at Sydney in the second innings of the match (53 of 179). Meanwhile, third new ball has been taken by the hosts and Mitchell Starc will bowl the first over with it.

11:30 hrs IST

Half-century for Rohit

Rohit Sharma takes a single off Aaron Finch and with that he completes his well-deserved half-century. This Rohit’s 10th Test fifty and he has kept the innings together after the fall of two quick wickets. 50-run partnership is also up between Rohit and Pant.

11:23 hrs IST

India pile on the runs

Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant have now put together 42 runs for the sixth wickets and India have crossed the 400-run mark now. The visitors will look to put on as many runs as possible in the final 16 overs of the day.

11:16 hrs IST

Lyon seems deflated

Nathan Lyon has bowled his heart out and has bowled 43 overs thus far. He has given 106 runs and has picked up one wickets. He should have picked more as three catches were dropped off his bowling. Rohit and Pant will now look to extend their partnership which has started in a positive fashion.

11:08 hrs IST

Cummins drops Pant for 15

This is the third chance that has been dropped by the Aussie fielders off the bowling of Nathan Lyon. This time, Pant hits the ball straight towards Cummins at long-on but the fielder drops at easy chance. Lyon cannot believe his luck as Pant gets another chance to hit a big score here.

11:01 hrs IST

Another boundary for Pant

This time, Marsh bowls it short from around the wicket and Pant pulls the ball for a boundary towards square leg. Pant is growing in confidence with every passing over and that is showing in his batting.

10:55 hrs IST

First four for Pant

Mitch Marsh bowls a bit wide and Rishabh Pant lashes at the ball hard and the ball goes for a boundary towards covers. First boundary of the innings for Pant and he will get immense confidence from it. The partnership between Pant and Rohit is worth 23 now.

10:48 hrs IST

Rohit looking good

This is the phase Rohit Sharma can really be dangerous in. He has the strokes in his kitty to take the attack to the Australian bowlers and against a tired attack, his innings can take the match away from the hosts in a jiffy

10:40 hrs IST

Pant starts steady

Rishabh Pant has played 14 deliveries so far and has scored 1 runs and there hasn’t been any wayward shot from the southpaw so far. It seems that he has been asked to play good sensible cricket early on his innings build a decent partnership with Rohit Sharma.

10:32 hrs IST

Stat attack

1st LBW dismissal in 9 innings for Rahane. Back to back 30s for Rahane. Third time Lyon has dismissed Rahane in this series. 9th time Lyon has dismissed Rahane overall in Tests, most by any bowler. 1st LBW dismissal for Australia in this series.

10:26 hrs IST

First wicket for Lyon

The Aussie spinner has toiled and toiled hard today and he has been finally rewarded for it as he picks his first wicket of the day. The ball didn’t bounce properly after pitching and hit Rahane in the pads and he was plumb. First LBW dismissal for Australia in the series as Rahane walks back for 34. India have lost their fifth wicket now.

10:20 hrs IST

Boundary for Rohit

Rohit Sharma celebrates a second life by hitting Pat Cummins for a boundary towards point. Excellent shot from Rohit as he gets on top of the ball and cuts it hard. Cummins was out of the field for a brief period and he was replace by Siddle, who had dropped Rohit’s catch in the last over.

10:15 hrs IST

Rohit, Rahane dropped in one over

Rohit Sharma (15) throught he was heading back into the hut when he top edged a Nathan Lyon delivery. But Peter Siddle, who was fielding at backward short leg, drops a sitter. Siddle is on the field in place of Pat Cummins. Then, on the last ball of the over, Rahane (32) edges the ball towards forward short leg but Head could not react in time. Lyon has put his cap on his face and he simply cannot believe it.

10:07 hrs IST

Good over from Lyon

Nathan Lyon bowls a maiden over to Ajinkya Rahane and he keeps it tight for the Aussies. Rahane and Rohit have already put on 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket and the visitors are looking very settled at the moment.

09:58 hrs IST

Final session begins

The players are now making their way into the middle and we are about to get underway in the third session. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane will resume proceedings for India.

9:41 hrs IST

Tea

Rohit negotiates that over with ease. India soldering along, 69 runs in that session, lost 2 wickets in the bargain. Rohit and Rahane camped at the crease

9:26 hrs IST

The master speaks

9:19 hrs IST

Starc is looking for reverse swing

The left-armer is coming from around the wicket and firing the ball full and fast, aiming for the stumps. Rahane is equal to the task so far. He has played his strokes and has increased the pace of scoring

9:06 hrs IST

Rohit-Rahane looking good

The pitch is flat, the ball is soft, and the attack is weary. Perfect time for the batsmen to dig in and fill their boots with Test runs. Rohit and Rahane need to keep on ticking the scoreboard

8:57 hrs IST

Important passage of play

This pair will have to see the innings through to Tea and then with Rishabh Pant in the hut, can go for their strokes in the final session against a weary Australian attack

8:47 hrs IST

Which way will the match go?

8:40 hrs IST

Rahane is moving positively

There is uneven bounce on this pitch and this will make batting a difficult prospect. Rahane has looked good so far with his footwork and intent. He rocks back to the short ball and the weight is on the front foot when the ball is pitched up

8:29 hrs IST

Wow, Pujara is bowled

Ball pitched on a length and it did not bounce. Pujara was on the backfoot, wanting to bunt the ball back, but the red nut kept low and knocked back the stumps. Australia making a comeback

8:23 hrs IST

Which approach will Rahane adopt?

The right-hander has looked positive in his approach so far. He will play his strokes and this is what India need at the moment. But he will have to be careful

8:12 hrs IST

Starc strikes, lucky break

That ball was short, it had width, Kohli rises, ramps it but finds Aaron Finch perfectly at third man. Australia finally have some success

8:04 hrs IST

Discomfort for the skipper

8:00 hrs IST

Good speeds from Starc

The big quick has been good in this burst so far. Banging the ball in, challenging Kohli to go for the pull or hook. Will Kohli and India quicken their pace of scoring this session?

7:49 hrs IST

Short ball tactics in place

There is a short leg, a deep square leg and a fine leg in place. Starc wants to belt the ball in and ask Kohli to pull or hook the balls away. A certain tactic in place

7:41 hrs IST

Back after the break

We are good to go. Tim Paine speaks with his bowlers, Kohli and Pujara stride out. Australia need wickets, India will keep batting and accumulating runs. Another intriguing session awaits us

7:03 hrs IST

Lunch

India’s session. Pujara and Kohli remained unbeaten. Pujara got to his 17th Test century. Kohli has batting along at the other end

6:48 hrs IST

And that’s the century

Well played Che Pujara. He races down the track, close to the pitch of the ball and then drives it back down the ground to bring up his century

6:38 hrs IST

Slow progress

Pujara eyes another century but India have been slow this morning. It appears as if they want to wear the Aussie bowlers down and keep batting on for a longer time. Hard fought Test cricket

6:25 hrs IST

Getting tricky for Paine and company

6:13 hrs IST

Back to attritional cricket

After a positive start, Kohli and Pujara are now more watchful. Australia have bowled well, the bowlers have beaten the bat and the batsmen have hard to work hard for their runs

5:56 hrs IST

Good probing over by Hazlewood

Great stuff from the big quick, pounding the ball on a length outside the off stump. Kohli nicked one, but is safe and then had to leave the rest of the deliveries. Intriguing passage of Test cricket

5:49 hrs IST

Starc has looked sharp

5:41 hrs IST

Kohli looks patient

Pat Cummins is bowling them full and wide, asking Kohli to go for the drive. The captain takes the front foot and then lifts the bat out of the way to allow safe passage to the ball. He looks to be in for the long haul

5:28 hrs IST

Starc looks frustrated

Australia have not managed to get the early breakthrough and this is showing. Mitchell Starc is looking rather frustrated. India ticking along nicely at the moment

5:17 hrs IST

Stat Attack- Century stand between Pujara and Kohli

· 7th century stand in Tests between Kohli and Pujara.

· 1st century partnership for 3rd wicket by India after 10 innings.

· 2nd century stand for 3rd wicket in away Tests by India in 2018.

o The last time India’s 3rd wicket had 2 or more century stands in away Tests in a year was in 2015 (3).

· 3rd century stand for 3rd wicket against Australia in 2018 — the most against any team in this year.

· 1st century partnership for India in this series.

5:11 hrs IST

Century stand raised

5:10 hrs IST

Stat Attack - Kohli’s 20th Test 50

· 20th fifty for Kohli in Tests

· His 4th 50 against the Australians in Tests, Only the 3rd in Australia

· His 5th 50 of this year in Tests

· His 1st fifty of this series (he has 1 century)

· He now has scored three 50+ scores in 3 consecutive innings at the MCG. (50* in 2018, 169 & 54 in 2014)

5:06 hrs IST

50 for Kohli

Full ball angled in, Kohli clips it away through mid-wicket and takes 3 runs to score yet another Test 50. Good way to get things rolling on a new day

5:00 hrs IST

Cummins to get things going

Pat Cummins, who was the pick of the bowlers on Day 1, will start proceedings. The sun is beating down in all its glory. Pujara takes strike and lets the ball go

4:57 hrs IST

Pitch report

‘The pitch has dried out a lot, it has got harder and there are some footmarks developing. It is still an easy pitch to bat on, a big first innings score by India will put pressure on the hosts,’ reckons Allan Border

4:31 hrs IST

Australia need to strike early

4:18 hrs IST

All set to roll

4:11 hrs IST

Pujara eyes Dravid’s record

The half-century was Pujara’s 19th in Test cricket as a number 3 batsman and that puts him on the second spot behind his predecessor Rahul Dravid in the list of most half-centuries scored by an India number 3.

By the end of day’s play Pujara had blunted 200 deliveries from the 534 that the Aussies had bowled, which is nearly 40 percent of the total deliveries faced by the Indian batsmen. While doing so, Pujara brought up his 21st half-century in Test cricket and 8th against the Aussies.

4:01 hrs IST

Kohli was dropped

Kohli was dropped on 47 by Australian skipper Tim Paine during Mitchell Starc’s brilliant over towards the end of the day’s play.

“... the best over today was from Starc. Beating Kohli inside and outside, that new ball hopefully can come out and do that tomorrow again. It was disappointing to leave that chance but it happens,” Head said on Wednesday.

3:54 hrs IST

Day when Mitchell Marsh was booed

The MCG crowd started booing Marsh once his name was announced on the public address system when he came onto bowl in the third Test against India.

Travis Head was“disappointed” at the booing of Mitchell Marsh in the ongoing third Test against India, triggered by the West Australian being preferred over local star Peter Handscomb.

3:46 hrs IST

Day 1 belonged to Mayank Agarwal

During the first innings show of brilliance, Mayank’s score of 76 is the highest by any Indian debutant in Australia. Also it is now the highest score by an Indian opener away from home. Mayank became the seventh Indian opener to score a 50 on debut. He also became the third opener this year to score a 50 on debut (Fakhar Zaman and Aaron Finch are the others). Interestingly, he is only the second Indian player after Dattu Phadkar to score a 50 on debut in Australia and only the second Indian opener after Sunil Gavaskar to score a 50 on debut away from home.

3:34 hrs IST

Day 2 is crucial

After dominating Day 1, India should now look to pull ahead. They have Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli at the crease and on a pitch which is not very conducive to stroke-making, should dig in for the long haul. The Australians will have their plans all sorted and all the connotations point towards an intriguing day.