Highlights, India vs Australia, 3rd Test, Day 1 in Melbourne, Full Cricket Score: Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal's fifties take visitors to 215/2

Stumps for India at 215-2. Hard work for both sides but it seems like there are cracks starting to appear off length on this pitch. Australia haven’t let things drift and that unusual bounce could come into play soon. Kohli’s dropped catch means a lot in the scheme of things and it will be interesting to see how things play out from here. This pitch is sure to break up at some point.

After 89 overs,India 215/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 68 , Virat Kohli (C) 47)

Kohli drives the ball towards cover, but is intercepted inside the circle that denies him the single that he has been looking for quite some time now. Second consecutive maiden for Starc, and that brings to an end the opening day of the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a day that belonged to the Indian batsmen, with Mayank Agarwal’s stroke-filled 76 being the highlight of the day.

After 88 overs,India 215/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 68 , Virat Kohli (C) 47)

Pujara flicks the ball towards square-leg for a double off the second delivery. Pujara gets hit on his shoulder off the penultimate ball, with Hazlewood having a few more words to say after the delivery, although it doesn’t invite anything more than a smile from the monk-like No 3 batsman. Two off the over.

You run in all day on this pitch and then your captain drops Virat Kohli on 47*. The whole script for the day could have changed here but alas.

After 87 overs,India 213/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 66 , Virat Kohli (C) 47)

Starc appeals for lbw against Kohli, but is dismissed by the umpire — who labels it “too high”. DROPPED! Kohli nicks the ball while playing outside his body, with the ball popping out of Paine’s glove, much to Starc’s disappointment. The ball takes off after pitching short of length off the next delivery, and hits the long stop fence after a couple of bounces, resulting in baffled expressions all around. Starc fires a 150 kmph yorker at Kohli off the penultimate delivery, with the star batsman bringing his bat down in the nick of time to save his stumps. Dot off the last ball, bringing to an end a very entertaining over from the left-arm seamer.

After 86 overs,India 209/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 66 , Virat Kohli (C) 47)

Pujara collects his sixth boundary at the start of the over, guiding the ball towards third man. Dot ball off each of the remaining deliveries of the over.

FOUR! Pujara plays with an open face and soft hands, and steers a back-of-length ball from Hazlewood towards third man for his sixth boundary. IND 209/2

After 85 overs,India 205/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 62 , Virat Kohli (C) 47)

Starc continues to generate a plenty of pace and bounce with the new ball, requiring skipper Paine to be extra vigilant behind the stumps. Couple of leg byes collectedof the penultimate delivery, with Starc’s appeal for leg-before being turned down by the umpire. Three off the over. Another five overs left in the day’s play.

After 84 overs,India 202/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 62 , Virat Kohli (C) 47)

Hazlewood shares the new ball with Starc as usual, and gets the ball to move away from the batsman, with Kohli opting to leave most of the balls alone. Maiden over to Hazlewood.

Given the way he has bowled today, I would have handed the new ball to Pat Cummins. Australia missing a trick here with their set plans.

After 83 overs,India 202/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 62 , Virat Kohli (C) 47)

Paine tosses the new ball over to Starc, who appeals for caught-behind against Kohli off the very first ball of his new spell, before being turned down. Kohli runs the ball towards square leg for a double off the penultimate ball to bring up the 200 for India. Bye collected off the last ball of the over.

Australia take the second new ball, and it’s Mitchell Starc who gets the first crack at it.

Kohli edging up to fifty and a free flowing partnership developing here. India have bedded themselves in for a tall total and it is imperative that these two batsmen see out the day. Australia’s control is telling that they haven’t crossed 200 yet.

After 82 overs,India 199/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 62 , Virat Kohli (C) 45)

Pujara shuffles down the pitch, and collects a single through an on-drive off the fourth delivery of the over. Kohli keeps the strike with a single off the last ball.

After 81 overs,India 197/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 61 , Virat Kohli (C) 44)

Kohli drives the ball down the ground with authority off the penultimate delivery, collecting his sixth boundary. Four off the over. Looks like Nathan Lyon will get another over or two from the other end before the hosts bring in the second new ball.

FOUR! Beautiful straight drive by Kohli off an overpitched delivery from Mitch Marsh! IND 197/2

Mitchell Marsh brought back in place of Pat Cummins, with the Australians opting against taking the second new ball right away.

After 80 overs,India 193/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 61 , Virat Kohli (C) 40)

Kohli pushes the ball towards square-leg for a single off the last delivery after five dot balls. End of the 80th over, which means the second new ball will now be available for the hosts to make use of.

After 79 overs,India 192/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 61 , Virat Kohli (C) 39)

Pujara profits from a loose delivery from Cummins at the start of the over, slashing a short, wide ball through backward point for a boundary. Dot off each of the remaining deliveries of the over.

FOUR! Cummins continues with the short stuff, but bowls this one outside off. Pujara slashes this one through backward point, and away to the fence. IND 192/2

After 78 overs,India 188/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 57 , Virat Kohli (C) 39)

Kohli’s offered width outside off, and he drives it through extra cover to collect his fifth boundary. Four off the over. Meanwhile, Kohli’s strike-rate is nearly twice of Pujara’s.

FOUR! Kohli’s offered some width outside off, and he gleefully accepts the invitation by unleashing another well-timed stroke through the gap between extra cover and mid off. IND 188/2

After 77 overs,India 184/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 57 , Virat Kohli (C) 35)

Pujara gets hit on his back once again off a short delivery from Cummins. Sixth maiden for the right-arm pacer.

After 77 overs,India 184/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 57 , Virat Kohli (C) 35)

Pujara gets hit on his back once again off a short delivery from Cummins. Sixth maiden for the right-arm pacer.

After 76 overs,India 184/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 57 , Virat Kohli (C) 35)

Kohli runs the ball towards square-leg for a single off the third delivery of the over. Pujara skips down the ground, and guides the ball in the same direction, also for a single. Two off the over.

After 75 overs,India 182/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 56 , Virat Kohli (C) 34)

Kohli collects a single at the start of the over after directing the ball towards midwicket. Pujara stays put at the crease as he faces a series of testing deliveries for the remainder of the over.

After 74 overs,India 181/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 56 , Virat Kohli (C) 33)

Kohli collects a single off the second delivery of the over. Pujara steps out of his crease and flicks the ball towards deep midwicket for a double off the third delivery. He runs the ball towards short third man a couple of balls later, once again coming back for a second. Five off the over

After 73 overs,India 176/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 52 , Virat Kohli (C) 32)

Pujara suffers a nasty blow on his finger while fending a short ball from Cummins — who has used that option to deadly effect so far in the day — requiring the physio to do a quick check-up thereafter. Pujara collects a double off a straight drive off the fourth delivery. Two off the over.

Pat Cummins brought back after drinks.

Drinks out on the field right now. The Aussies, meanwhile, will be hope to swing things in their favour with a couple of wickets in the last hour of play.

Loud shout just before the drinks’ break and Kohli’s large front stride meant he was outside the off stump impact. You would think its a waste of a review but they had to try against Kohli.

After 72 overs,India 174/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 50 , Virat Kohli (C) 32)

Shout for lbw against Kohli, with the Aussies going for the review after the umpire turns it down. Impact’s outside off, and that’s where the whole thing comes to an end, resulting in the hosts losing a review. Maiden over.

After 71 overs,India 174/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 50 , Virat Kohli (C) 32)

Pujara collects a single off the second delivery, one that elicits a cheer from the Indians in the crowd as the No 3 batsman brings up his 21st Test fifty. Kohli collects a single two deliveries later. Two off the over. Meanwhile, the partnership is in excess of 50 between Pujara and Kohli, the latter in the early 30s right now.

FIFTY for Cheteshwar Pujara! His 21st in Test cricket, and the eighth against the Aussies, and another gritty knock off his bat! The No 3 batsman takes 152 balls to bring up the milestone. The single also brings up the fifty-partnership between these two! IND 173/2

After 70 overs,India 172/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 49 , Virat Kohli (C) 31)

Kohli works the ball towards the leg side for a single off the fourth delivery. Pujara cuts the ball through extra cover off the last delivery, and would’ve got a boundary for it on most venues. The vastness of the MCG means he will have to settle for a triple. Four off the over.

After 69 overs,India 168/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 46 , Virat Kohli (C) 30)

Just a single off the over, with Kohli guiding the ball towards point for a quick run, moving to 30 in the process.

For all of India’s hard work today, and despite Kohli scoring 29 off 37 balls so far, India’s scoring rate hasn’t crossed 2.5 yet. Australia will be pretty happy with that.

After 68 overs,India 167/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 46 , Virat Kohli (C) 29)

Nathan Lyon returns to the attack, this time bringing in quite a few fielders inside the circle on the leg side. Two singles collected off the over.

Nathan Lyon brought back into the attack an hour into the final session on Day 1.

After 67 overs,India 165/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 45 , Virat Kohli (C) 28)

Pujara clips the ball behind square on the leg side for a single at the start of the over, with Kohli defending the rest of the deliveries. Just one off the over.

After 66 overs,India 164/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 44 , Virat Kohli (C) 28)

Starc bowls at Kohli from over the wicket, keeping the Indian skipper quiet for the first five deliveries. Kohli opens the face of his bat to guide the ball towards third man for a boundary off the last delivery. Four off the over.

FOUR! Kohli opens the face of his bat, while playing with soft hands to keep the ball low, guiding it through the gap between gully and slip. IND 164/2

After 65 overs,India 160/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 44 , Virat Kohli (C) 24)

Kohli collects a single at the start of the over as Mitch Marsh returns to the attack. Pujara attempts a short-arm pull three balls later, but fails to get any timing on it. Just one off the over.

Mitchell Marsh brought back into the attack.

After 64 overs,India 159/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 44 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

Pujara doesn’t quite time his cover drive right, getting a couple of runs at the start of the over as a result. Pujara punishes a loose delivery from Starc two balls later, slapping it over backward point for a boundary. Lobs a short ball off his gloves towards square leg next ball, with the cherry landing well short of the fielder. Starc fires a 151.8kmph bolt off the penultimate delivery which Pujara chooses to leave. Six off the over.

FOUR! Slapped over backward point by Pujara off a short and wide delivery from Starc! IND 159/2

After 63 overs,India 153/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 38 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

Kohli guides the ball down the ground for a four at the start of the over, timing his push to perfection, before collecting a double off the next ball, steering it behind square on the off side. Kohli collects a streaky boundary a couple of deliveries later, edging it to Shaun Marsh in the slips, before flicking the ball towards square leg for a double off the last ball. 12 runs off a very productive over for the Indians.

FOUR! Kohli edges this one with soft hands, with the ball bouncing just before Shaun Marsh’s hands at the slips and running away to the third man fence thereafter. IND 151/2

FOUR! Just a gentle push to a full delivery from Kohli, and he gets the desired result as the ball rolls away to the long on fence. IND 145/2

Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood.

After 62 overs,India 141/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 38 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)

Kohli taps the ball behind point for a single at the start of Starc’s new spell. The left-arm seamer switches to round-the-wicket while bowling to Pujara with two slips and a gully in place. Pujara cops a blow on his back while fending a back-of-length ball, and collects a couple of runs to add to the Indian extras tally. Three off the over.

Pat Cummins has bowled his heart out today and in that last short burst gave us another round of his duel with Kohli. Of course, this is not the pitch where he can ever get on top, seen in how the batsman just worked the last full ball for a four. Might be on for a bit of rest now.

Mitchell Starc returns to the attack in the 62nd over.

After 61 overs,India 138/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 38 , Virat Kohli (C) 10)

Couple of dot balls, before Kohli drives a full delivery from Cummins down the ground to collect his first boundary. Kohli guides the ball towards the off side for a single two deliveries later. Five off the over.

FOUR! Nudged down the ground by Kohli off Cummins, as the Indian skipper collects his first boundary! IND 137/2

After 60 overs,India 133/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 38 , Virat Kohli (C) 5)

Kohli guides the ball towards mid on for a single off the fourth delivery. Hazlewood has a few words to offer to Pujara after a short ball off the next ball. Single off the over.

After 59 overs,India 132/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 38 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Huge shout for lbw by Cummins against Pujara off the second delivery, with the umpire shaking his head in disapproval. The ball hit the batsman on his thigh, and is shown to be travelling well over the stumps on Hawkeye. Maiden over for Cummins.

After 58 overs,India 132/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 38 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Pujara drives a half-volley down the ground off the second delivery, collecting his third boundary in the process. Pujara decides to pull a short ball towards the leg side off the last delivery, inciting cries of ‘CAAAATCH’ as the ball flies in the direction of the fielder at fine leg. It lands clear of the fielder in the end and allows the batsman a single. Five off the over.

FOUR! Driven down the ground by Pujara off Hazlewood! The fielder at mid on gives the ball a chase, but fails to save the boundary; IND 131/2

After 57 overs,India 127/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 33 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Luck shines bright for Kohli as the ball lands clear of the stumps after a thick inside edge, with Kohli setting off for a double. Cummins nearly got the prized wicket of Kohli on that occasion, one that would’ve somewhat tilted the balance in Australia’s favour.

After 56 overs,India 125/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 33 , Virat Kohli (C) 2)

Hazlewood returns to the attack in the second over of the final session of Day 1, and starts off with a maiden.

Mix of boos and cheers as Virat Kohli arrives at the crease, and then caresses first ball down the ground. What an entertainer!

Josh Hazlewood brought back into the attack.

After 55 overs,India 125/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 33 , Virat Kohli (C) 2)

Agarwal gets a thick outside edge that sends the ball flying between second slip and gully. The debutant is dismissed off the penultimate delivery, which also signals the end of the session. The India skipper walks out to bat at the start of the evening session, and gets off the mark right away with a brace. Six runs and a wicket off the over.

Start of the final session of the day, and it’s Virat Kohli who’s on strike.

Wicket at the stroke of tea. Australia bowled bravely and they created chances, and finally one has come to Tim Paine. What reward for Pat Cummins there. Agarwal gone for 76 in his maiden knock caught behind. Just the boost Australia needed before the tea break!

And it’s time for tea with India 123/2 in 54.5 overs.

OUT! Cummins gets the wicket of debutant Agarwal. Short delivery and Agarwal gloves it to Paine on leg side.

Agarwal c Paine b Pat Cummins 76(161)

Agarwal survives! Cummins finds the thick outside edge but it flies past slips as there is no third slip fielder for a four

After 54 overs,India 119/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 72 , Cheteshwar Pujara 33)

Maiden over for Marsh as he keeps it tight. Another one stayed low but Pujara went down just in time to defend it.

After 53 overs,India 119/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 72 , Cheteshwar Pujara 33)

Four runs from the over as Agarwal drives the full delivery through covers for a boundary, escaping Lyon who tried hard but his effort went in vain.

In the air, and just short of Khawaja. Seemed like he jumped up than forward and the ball fell short. Oh well, tough chance but the only one Pujara has given so far. And on this pitch you want them… Well!

FOUR! A bit full and Agarwal creamed it through sweeper cover for a boundary. Lyon chased hard but failed to stop it from crossing the ropes.

After 52 overs,India 115/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 68 , Cheteshwar Pujara 33)

Maiden over which also presented an opportunity but the catch fell just short of Khawaja. Marsh found the inside edge which lobbed up after hitting Pujara’s pads but fell agonisingly short of diving Khawaja at gully.

Pujara survives! The inside edge ballooned towards gully after hitting Pujara’s pads but fell just short of Usman Khawaja.

After 51 overs,India 115/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 68 , Cheteshwar Pujara 33)

Two runs from the over as Agarwal collects a double pushing the penultimate ball behind point with a late cut followed by a sharp length ball that missed the edge.

After 50 overs,India 113/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 66 , Cheteshwar Pujara 33)

On the pads and Agarwal uses his wrists to collect a single in the mid-wicket region. Just one run from the over.

Mitch Marsh replaces Lyon

After 49 overs,India 112/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 65 , Cheteshwar Pujara 33)

Australia have gone back to their best bowler of the day, Cummins, who concedes three runs. Agarwal takes a single with a drive to wide of mid-off and Pujara collects a double with a flick to mid-wicket.

Mayank Agarwal finally lost patience and sailed that one over the ropes for a six off Lyon. Bowling round the wicket and keeping a tight leash on scoring has been his tactic today, and Indian batsmen have to take him on if they are to thwart him. Agarwal taking just enough risk. Not too much.

Pat Cummins is back into attack

After 48 overs,India 109/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 64 , Cheteshwar Pujara 31)

Seven runs from the over including a six for Agarwal. It was a long time coming. First ball, Agarwal comes down and then converts it into a slog-weep over wide  long-on. He also collected a single with a flick to long-on. Seven runs off it.

SIX! Agarwal comes down and slog-sweeps Lyon over wide long-on

After 47 overs,India 102/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 57 , Cheteshwar Pujara 31)

Agarwal flicks the back of the length delivery from Marsh to square leg, also the last ball of the over, to collect a single. Just one run from the over.

After 46 overs,India 101/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 56 , Cheteshwar Pujara 31)

The offie is bowling round the wicket to Agarwal to contain him but the odd ball that is keeping low is also troubling the batsman a little. Meanwhile, Agarwal collects a single on the last delivery with a drive to long-on.

After 45 overs,India 100/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 55 , Cheteshwar Pujara 31)

Agarwal gets behind Marsh’s delivery to flick it to square leg for a single and that brings up India’s 100. Just one run from it.

Fifty partnership for Agarwal and Pujara. They are starting to score a few more runs in this session. Lyon now bowling to a complete leg side field even to Pujara. At what point does this qualify as negative bowling?

Mitch Marsh replaces Starc

After 44 overs,India 99/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 54 , Cheteshwar Pujara 31)

Lyon comes over the wicket and Pujara uses his feet to come down and play a cover drive for a triple. The offie went back to bowling round the wicket to Agarwal in an effort to contain him but ended up conceding a single in mid-wicket region followed by a four for Pujara with a late cut to third-man. Eight runs off it.

FOUR! A bit wide by Lyon, Pujara waits and cuts it late to get a boundary through third-man

After 43 overs,India 91/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 53 , Cheteshwar Pujara 24)

Pujara flicks the angled-in delivery to square-leg to collect a double and then plays a cover drive to add three and bring up 50-run partnership with Agarwal. Five runs off it.

Nathan Lyon coming round the wicket to Mayank Agarwal tells you there is nothing in the pitch for him at the moment, no rough, no grip, no turn. He is trying to keep a lid on the scoring and getting away with it, otherwise the debutant will attack him more. Of course, Lyon doesn’t have to worry about Pujara attacking him at the other end.

After 42 overs,India 86/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 53 , Cheteshwar Pujara 19)

Another maiden over as Lyon gets through his over quickly. The scoring rate has been slow but Indians wouldn’t mind as Agarwal and Pujara inch towards 50-run partnership.

29 runs since lunch. India have made steady progress. Australia have bowled even better than in the first session, if that’s possible on this flat pitch. Their pacers have used the short rising ball well. Thing is, the stage is well set for an enforcer like Virat Kohli. If India lose a wicket now, and he gets going (which he probably will on this pitch), the game could get away from Australia very quickly.

Lyon continues

Time for drinks

After 41 overs,India 86/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 53 , Cheteshwar Pujara 19)

Maiden over for Starc where his strategy has been very clear, to bowl back of length or short deliveries. Indian batsmen have been handling it pretty well so far.

After 40 overs,India 86/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 53 , Cheteshwar Pujara 19)

Loud appeal for LBW against Agarwal but umpire Erasmus wasn’t interested as it had pitched outside leg from Lyon, who is bowling round the wicket. Pujara also collected a single on the first delivery with a flick to mid-wicket.

After 39 overs,India 85/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 53 , Cheteshwar Pujara 18)

Maiden over for Starc as he bowls from round the wicket, trying to create a difficult angle for right-handed batsmen. It would also help to create rough patches for Lyon.

Fifty on debut for Mayank Agarwal, what a knock. Body blows, intent to score runs, short stuff fended, intimidating MCG, Boxing Day. Doesn’t get better than this. Been a while coming this and he can absolutely kick on here thanks to the batting beauty of a pitch. Well played so far!

Starc replaces Hazlewood. He’s bowling round the wicket with two slips and a gully.

After 38 overs,India 85/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 53 , Cheteshwar Pujara 18)

Pujara collects a single on the first ball after coming down and nudging Lyon to square leg, Agarwal follows it up with a drive to long-on and a single. Two runs off it.

After 37 overs,India 83/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 52 , Cheteshwar Pujara 17)

Hazlewood bowls one on Pujara’s hips and the batsman flicks it to square leg to collect three runs. He finishes with a short ball which Agarwal decides to duck and leave. Three runs from it.

After 36 overs,India 80/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 53 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Debutant Mayank Agarwal is now showing his worth as he brings up fifty on debut with two boundaries down the ground off Lyon. He’s the second Indian to make 50+ score on Test debut on Australian soil.

FOUR! Mayank Agarwal brings up his fifty in style with another boundary off Lyon

FOUR! Mayank Agarwal comes down the pitch and clears the long off boundary

Mexican waves going around at MCG… 25 minutes after lunch break. Either the crowd is bored already or they are drunk. Also, shot from Pujara. Lovely cover drive that livens up the atmosphere further.

After 35 overs,India 72/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 45 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Just one from the over as Agarwal collected a single on the first ball with a nudge to long leg. Hazlewood then bowled five consecutive dot balls to Pujara.

After 34 overs,India 71/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 44 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Agarwal collects three runs by opening his face to a length ball on the off and pushing it to third-man. Pujara then collected a boundary on the last ball with a glorious cover drive off Cummins’ full delivery. Seven runs off it.

FOUR! Full delivery from Cummins and Pujara drives it gloriously through covers

After 33 overs,India 64/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 41 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Finally runs for India as Mayank pushes Hazlewood’s short ball behind point for a double and then flicks a leg side delivery to collect a single. Three runs off it.

After 32 overs,India 61/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Another maiden over for Australia as Pujara decides to see off Cummins. The scoring rate has now dipped under two but India wouldn’t mind that. The Aussies are bowling pretty well currently.

After 31 overs,India 61/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Fantastic stuff from Hazlewood as he bowls another maiden over. He also found Mayank’s outside edge on the second delivery but it didn’t carry to Aaron Finch at second slip.

After 30 overs,India 61/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Disciplined stuff from Pat Cummins as Pujara see off all six deliveries without scoring, defending a few while letting go of others.

Pat Cummins to bowl from the other end.

After 29 overs,India 61/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 38 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Good start for India immediately after lunch as Mayank Agarwal slams Josh Hazlewood for a four on the first delivery. But the bowler soon found his mark, bowling five consecutive dot balls.

Right, India saw off the morning session without too much loss. Of course the pitch is easy, but MCG on any day, and particularly on Boxing Day, can be pretty intimidating. So you cannot hold that against a Test debutant and a makeshift opener in his third Test. It’s all bonus runs until Virat Kohli comes to the crease and stamps his authority on this batting beauty.

FOUR! Brilliant start after lunch — first ball four. Juicy half-volley and Mayank creams it through covers.

Josh Hazlewood to bowl the first over after lunch. Mayank on strike.

Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara and the Australian team are also back after lunch at MCG!

We are back

After 28 overs,India 57/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 34 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Mitch Marsh bowls what turns out to be the final over of the session, collecting a maiden as Pujara blocks his way through the over. India head to lunch at 57/1 after 28 overs, with Mayank Agarwal looking impressing, having collected 34 off 68 balls so far. Pujara, at the other end, is off to a steady start.

Should be the last over before lunch.

After 27 overs,India 57/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 34 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Pujara drives the ball behind square on the off side, collecting three runs on the occasion. Agarwal’s struck on his right shoulder while trying to duck to a bouncer. Three off the over.

Josh Hazlewood brought back in the final minutes of the first session.

After 26 overs,India 54/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 34 , Cheteshwar Pujara 7)

Faint appeal for lbw, mainly from the slip fielders, although the ball was going a long way down leg by the time it hit Pujaras pad. The Saurashtra batsman flicks one off his pad behind square on the leg side for a single off the fifth delivery. One off the over.

Mayank Agarwal has copped a few body blows but he has stayed in. Scoring at nearly 50 strike rate. Good first session of Test cricket for him, but this has been an easy pitch to bat on. To his credit, Australian attack isn’t quite easy to bat against for they are always thinking of ways to get the batsmen. Short ball ploy is an obvious example here.

After 25 overs,India 53/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 34 , Cheteshwar Pujara 6)

Pujara taps a back-of-length delivery towards cover for a quick single off the fourth delivery. Single off the over.

After 24 overs,India 52/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 34 , Cheteshwar Pujara 5)

Loud appeal for lbw against Pujara as the ball stays a touch low on the occasion. The umpire however, remains unconvinced, and replays confirm a thick inside edge. Two singles collected off the over.

After 23 overs,India 50/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 33 , Cheteshwar Pujara 4)

Starc returns to the attack, with third man and an FSL in place. Couple of singles collected, with the left-arm pacer continuing to pepper the Indians with some short stuff.

Mitch Starc returns to the attack. A little over 20 minutes to go for lunch on Day 1.

After 22 overs,India 48/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 32 , Cheteshwar Pujara 3)

Agarwal gets hit on his finger while attempting to defend the ball off the second delivery, though Mitch Marsh’s medium pace doesn’t cause him too much discomfort. Pujara gets on top of the bounce and slashes the ball behind square on the off side to get off the mark with a triple.

After 21 overs,India 44/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 31 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

Another maiden for Cummins, with new batter Pujara opting to stay defensive for the course of the over.

After 20 overs,India 44/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 31 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

Agarwal taps the ball towards backward square leg off Mitch Marsh’s first delivery of the series for a double. Another double to Agarwal, as he guides the ball through midwicket on this occasion. Four off the over.

Mitchell Marsh into the attack. Why? Nobody knows.

Mitchell Marsh brought into the attack in the 20th over.

Vihari gone. Half ducks against a Cummins’ bounce but it follows him this time. And for a second time he takes his eyes off the ball and ends up gloving it. Australia have realised the short ball ploy on this pitch and that was a great delivery from Cummins. Vihari gone for only 3 runs, but he faced 66 balls, second highest by an Indian openers this series. Did an Akaash Chopra if you ask me.

After 19 overs,India 40/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 27 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

The short ball yields a wicket for Cummins as Australia break the opening partnership, with Vihari having to wack back for a 66-ball 8. Cheteshwar Pujara walks out to bat next, and is greeted with a sharp bouncer first up. Two runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Cummins draws first blood, and he uses the short ball to good effect once again! This time he gets a deflection off Vihari’s gloves, as Finch completes the dismissal with a comfortable catch at slip. IND 40/1

Vihari c Finch b Cummins 8(66)

After 18 overs,India 38/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 6 , Mayank Agarwal 27)

Just one off the over, with Vihari collecting a single off the fourth delivery after working the ball towards the leg side.

After 17 overs,India 37/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 5 , Mayank Agarwal 27)

Vihari sets off for a single thanks to an overthrow off the fifth delivery. Cummins fires a snorter at Agarwal the next ball, and follows it up with a couple of words. Just one off the over.

After 16 overs,India 36/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 4 , Mayank Agarwal 27)

Loud appeal for lbw off the second delivery, with the batsman a long way down the pitch, a factor that went in favour of the batsman eventually. The hosts, though, miss out on a dismissal as hawkeye shows three reds. Single to Vihari off the fourth delivery. Agarwal ends the over with a boundary through the off side. Five off the over.

FOUR! Lyon offers Agarwal some room to work the ball through the extra cover region for a boundary! IND 36/0

An hour’s play gone and India’s openers still at the crease. Different pitch but come on… they have looked different as well. But again… how flat is that pitch!

Time for the players to have a drink now.

After 15 overs,India 31/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 3 , Mayank Agarwal 23)

Now it’s Agarwal’s turn to get some rough treatment from Cummins, as he cops a blow on his left shoulder while trying to avoid a short ball from the pacer. The pacers have been focusing on the shorter lengths so far in the day. Maiden over for Cummins.

After 14 overs,India 31/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 3 , Mayank Agarwal 23)

Another maiden over for Nathan Lyon, as Vihari defends and pushes the ball around without disturbing the scoreboard.

Nasty hit for Vihari. Bang on the head and we have the customary break to check him for concussion. Change in helmet as well. But the pitch continues to hold centre stage. If the pacer bends his back, there is bounce otherwise it looks a sleeping beauty that won’t wake up even if you tap it thrice.

After 13 overs,India 31/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 3 , Mayank Agarwal 23)

Mayank pushes the ball through the gap between mid on and midwicket, but doesn’t get enough pace to collect more than a single. Nasty blow suffered by Hanuma Vihar on his helmet off the third delivery, with the batsman getting taking his eyes off the ball and failing to duck in time, resulting in physio Patrick Farhart having to walk out and check on him. The impact was such that the ball landing near the square-leg umpire after deflecting off his helmet. Two off the over.

Really like the look of Hanuma Vihari as a Test batsman. Taking his time and waiting to tire out the bowlers. Straight from the Pujara manual, and it figures since he is a proper top order batsman who averages 60 in First Class cricket. What a find for India, irrespective of what happens here, and he is one they should nurture properly.

Pat Cummins brought into the attack in the 13th over.

After 12 overs,India 29/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 3 , Mayank Agarwal 22)

Agarwal guides the ball square on the off side for a single at the start of the over. Just one off the over.

After 11 overs,India 28/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 3 , Mayank Agarwal 21)

Vihari pushes the ball through midwicket off the third delivery, getting enough time to come back for a second. Silly mid on in place in the middle of the over, which takes the straight drives out of the equation for Vihari. Two off the over.

After 10 overs,India 26/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 1 , Mayank Agarwal 21)

Lyon continues from the other end. Immaculate defence from Agarwal against quality off spin as he chooses to block his way through six deliveries.

After 9 overs,India 26/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 1 , Mayank Agarwal 21)

Hazlewood back, this time from a different end. Vihari pats the ball around the wicket without scoring a run, as the right-arm pacer collects his second maiden.

Nathan Lyon had come on to bowl in the 14th over in all four Indian innings previously. Today he has come on in the 8th over. One delivery in previous Starc over died on its way to Tim Paine. This pitch already looks half as dead as the one last year.

Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood.

After 8 overs,India 26/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 1 , Mayank Agarwal 21)

Vihari drives the ball towards cover at the start of Nathan Lyon’s first over of the innings. The Hyderabadi finally gets off the mark off the 25th delivery he faces, courtesy a drive towards mid on. Agarwal goes for an aggressive cover drive, but is blocked by an agile Travis Head. He places the ball perfectly in the gap off the next delivery though, collecting his second boundary in the process.

FOUR! Lovely cover drive from Agarwal, as he picks the gap perfectly on this occasion to collect his second boundary. IND 26/0

First bowling change of the innings, as skipper Paine decides to bring offie Nathan Lyon into the attack.

After 7 overs,India 21/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 0 , Mayank Agarwal 17)

Agarwal pokes at a full delivery from Starc that sends the ball flying dangerously close to Mitch Marsh’s outstretched hand at gully, resulting in the first boundary of the innings. Paine fumbles behind the stumps off the next ball to concede four byes, the first extras of the innings. Eight off the over.

FOUR! Streaky, streaky boundary for Mayank Agarwal, as he pokes at a full delivery outside off that flies over Mitch Marsh at gully. IND 17/0

After 6 overs,India 13/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 0 , Mayank Agarwal 13)

Vihari is yet to get off the mark after facing another six deliveries, failing to collect a run despite a well-timed drive down the ground off the last ball. The Hyderabad batsman is taking his time to get used to the pitch it seems.

One ball in the first five overs that has flown over the batsman’s head. Mitchell Starc had to really bend his back into that one. Not much bounce, no movement available. That grass isn’t doing or going to do anything. Probably the best batting surface India have got since January.

After 5 overs,India 13/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 0 , Mayank Agarwal 13)

Agarwal collects a couple of runs off the second delivery of the over, before being greeted by a snorter from Starc off the very next ball. Good running between the wickets, as Agarwal collects doubles off the next two deliveries. Six of the over.

Sedate is the manner to describe how Hanuma Vihari has opened this innings. And he took the first ball too, not the debutant. Yet to open his account though, while Mayank Agarwal has his first runs on the board. In a way, they are looking more solid than the previous out-of-form pairing but crux of the matter is in runs.

After 4 overs,India 7/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 0 , Mayank Agarwal 7)

Agarwal uses his wrists well to flick a full delivery from Hazlewood towards deep midwicket, with the ball being pulled back just short of the rope that saves a run for the hosts. Three runs off the over.

After 3 overs,India 4/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 0 , Mayank Agarwal 4)

Agarwal tucks a back-of-length delivery towards fine-leg off the second delivery to collect a single. Vihari, meanwhile, continues to prod the ball around defensively, and is yet to get off the mark at the end of the over.

After 2 overs,India 3/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 0 , Mayank Agarwal 3)

Agarwal bats for the first time in Test cricket, with Josh Hazlewood bowling from the other end, with a forward short-leg in place. Agarwal gets off the mark, and also collects the first runs for India with a push through the cover region, getting enough time to come back for a third.

After 1 overs,India 0/0 ( Hanuma Vihari 0 , Mayank Agarwal 0)

Mitch Starc makes first use of the brand new Kookaburra as usual, with Hanuma Vihari taking strike. Vihari drives the ball towards extra cover off the last delivery, but is intercepted. Maiden over at the start of the Boxing Day Test.

Ravi Shastri said this is a unique position to be in. 1-1 in the series and two Tests to play, indeed. India know they can win and have already tasted blood. You would also think that they have got mistakes out of their system in Perth too. Today could be a series’ defining day and India have to make it count with the bat.

Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal walk out to bat at MCG! A completely new opening pair for India. Vihari on strike. Mitchell Starc will bowl the first over.

Karnataka opener Mayank Agarwal, who opens alongside Vihari in the third Test, had earlier received his cap from skipper Virat Kohli. Agarwal had been stacking up heaps of runs in the domestic circuit and had been banging on the doors of selection, and has finally been rewarded for his consistency. He is however, faced with the challenge of making his debut on foreign soil against an attack that’s pumped up after a fine 146-run victory at Perth.

Another 10 minutes left for the start of play. Both teams making their way out to the centre for the national anthems.

“Quite an exciting opportunity for me, opening for India at the Boxing Day Test. Definitely were looking to bat first because we know the wicket might turn later on Day 3 or 4. We had four days off and three good sessions of practice. So we’re well-prepared for this. It comes down to the mental aspect now,” says Hanuma Vihari, who opens for the first time in only his third Test appearance.

India won the toss and opted to bat. Huge toss to win this if the pitch is going to dry out and take turn as the game goes on. Even so, massive examination ahead for Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari. Australian pacers will be licking their lips with inconsistency at the Indian top order. This is India’s sixth different opening partnership in Test cricket in 2018.

“I’m happy to be having a bowl to be honest,” says home team skipper Tim Paine. The hosts have opted to replace struggling batsman Peter Handscomb with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.

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

“Mayank Agarwal plays his first game. Hanuma Vihari opens with him. Rohit comes back at six. Just bringing in Ravindra Jadeja in place of Umesh Yadav,” says Kohli. 

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

TOSS: India win the toss, and skipper Virat Kohli opts to bat first.

Chetan Narula, Freelance Cricket Journalist in Melbourne

The pitch at MCG has come under the scanner. Last year’s Ashes pitch was arguably one of the worst Test wickets ever with a drab draw as a result. It was obviously rated poor. 

There is grass on this MCG pitch and Virat Kohli was again hoping that it is lively grass. Both he and Tim Paine agreed though that it is a little dry underneath and spin will come into play as the match progresses. Nathan Lyon vs India and Ravindra Jadeja-Hanuma Vihari vs Australia…. we probably already know who the winner here is. Or do we?

“Nice grassy surface. Groundstaff have been experimenting with different mils of grass. Overall it’s a pretty good covering a grass. If I was one of the captains today, I’d be thinking of bowling first,” says former Australia captain Allan Border in the pitch report.

India had won in Adelaide but lost in Perth. They got the team balance right in the first Test but again went too far in the second Test and messed things up. They have read conditions and team combination wrong in 8 out of 10 overseas Tests this year, and lost 7 of them. If they lose this one, they cannot win the series here. 

Both teams announced their playing XIs yesterday. Australia with the one change keeping in mind their bowlers’ workloads. India, meanwhile, have three changes, with Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Mayank Agarwal coming in. Both out of form openers have been dumped. And the biggest roll of dice… Hanuma Vihari is set to open in only his third Test.

Chetan Narula, Freelance Cricket Journalist in Melbourne

THE biggest day on any cricketing calendar… THE biggest stage of them all… Hellos from Boxing Day at the MCG. 

80000 people are expected attend the first day of this third Test today, most of them of course will be Indian fans. The trams are cramped for room as long queues outside the ground to get in. The great Indian summer festival is ongoing at the MCG grounds as well, so that means lots of good Indian music and food. 

And of course there will be some cricket as well… its the Boxing Day Test after all… the third in this so-far enthralling series.

There’s quite a lot of grass on MCG pitch! What are your thoughts? What should India do if they win the toss?

Here’s the 22 yards in the middle of the MCG. Thoughts? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/rrkVy3T75G

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 25, 2018

Virat Kohli summons his batsmen

Bowlers excelled once again at Perth but it was the batsmen that failed India in the second Test. Skipper Virat Kohli has urged his batsmen to complement the superb effort of his bowling unit in the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Australia.

“It is very important for batsmen to stand up, because as everyone can see, our bowling has been performing really well. Otherwise, the bowlers won’t be able to do anything with the totals that we have been compiling,” skipper Kohli said on the eve of the third Test.

Mayank Agarwal to make debut!

There are some big changes in the Indian side for the MCG Test. Mayank Agarwal will be making his international debut, finally, for India while both openers from the last match — KL Rahul and Murali Vijay has been dropped. Meanwhile, Australia have recalled Mitch Marsh in place of Peter Handscomb in their side. Click here to find out the playing XIs of both sides.

Boxing Day Test at Melbourne! It doesn’t get bigger than this. And to match up with the occasion, we have cracker of a contest on our hands as Virat Kohli’s India take on the home team, looking to bounce back after defeat at Perth. With the series levelled at 1-1, both teams have everything to play for. India will be looking to take a lead to get a step closer to their dream of completing a maiden series win in Australia, while Tim Paine and Co have the momentum with them.

Hello and welcome to the coverage of the Day 1 of the 3rd Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Play starts at 5 am IST. Follow this space for all the live scores and updates.