IND vs AUS 3rd Test Day 2, Lunch: Pujara ton, Kohli fifty strengthen Indian dominance

While the visitors have been enjoying batting at the MCG track, the Aussies have found themselves at the receiving end for the 2nd session on the trot

A massive 154-run partnership for the 3^rd wicket, the 20^th Test fifty of skipper Virat Kohli and then Cheteshwar Puajara’s 17^th Test ton have ripped apart the Aussie bowling so far in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). By the end of the second day’s first session, the hosts failed to scalp any wicket while India were at 278/2. Pujara remained unbeaten on 103 and Kohli was on 69*.

The day began with the 20^th Test fifty of Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper remained unbeaten on 47 last night and took a triple in the last ball of the day’s first over to get his half-century.

Virat Kohli doing his thing so far at the MCG...#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/LXiFjgk24f

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2018

Thereafter, the duo went on to set the highest batting partnership of this series. After resuming the innings on the second day, they went on to add 62 more to their overnight score of 215 runs and fearlessly withstood the Aussie bowling attack.

Century stand between Pujara and Kohli. 50 for the Indian captain as well. #TeamIndia 227/2 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/fWoSMTYPV1

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2018

A few overs ahead of the tea break, Pujara notched up his 17^th Test ton which was also his first in Boxing Day Test at MCG. He took 280 deliveries to reach his 2^nd century in the series Down Under which turned out to be the ‘most balls to 100’ for him. Back in 2012, he faced 248 balls to score a hundred against England in Mumbai.

Oh what a feeling! 😎🔝🇮🇳🙌🏻
17th Test ton for @cheteshwar1 #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/1RIaLiJa4W

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 27, 2018

While the visitors have been enjoying batting at the MCG track, the Aussies have found themselves at the receiving end for the 2^nd session on the trot. After going wicketless in the third session of the first day, their hardship continued till the end of the second day’s morning session.

Brief Scores:

India 1st Innings: 277 for 2 in 117 overs. (Cheteshwar Pujara 103 batting, Virat Kohli 69 batting; Pat Cummins 2/46)