A massive 154-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, the 20th Test fifty of skipper Virat Kohli and then Cheteshwar Puajara’s 17th 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 20th 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.
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.
A few overs ahead of the tea break, Pujara notched up his 17th Test ton which was also his first in Boxing Day Test at MCG. He took 280 deliveries to reach his 2nd 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.
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. 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)