India vs Australia, Highlights, 2nd Test at Perth, Day 2, Full Cricket Score: Kohli, Rahane take visitors to 172/3 at Stumps

That brings us to close of day's play. Two of India's best batsmen are back among runs. For Kohli, it was a matter of time his bat started to do the talking. He missed to convert good starts in Adelaide into big runs. It is Rahane who after a very long time looks like finally getting a big one tomorrow. It is also not about the runs he is scoring but the way he is doing that. Looks free of all negativity and relaxed in the middle. The Indian fans have their fingers crossed. 

Australia were punished for inconsistent spell of bowling, especially after Rahane came in. He started to attack and then there was no answer from Paine and Co. They are still 154 runs ahead in the game and as Michael Clarke said at the start of the day , for India to attain stranglehold in the match, they need to score 100 more than Australia's. Paine needs to stop them from getting there. 

We will be back tomorrow at 6.50 am sharp. Till then, take care and bye-bye.  

Australian bowlers toiled hard but Indian batsmen were simply world class. More work for them tomorrow

An outrageously skilled day of cricket. According to Expected Wickets (xW) Australia bowled well enough to earn 8.09 (!) wickets but India have batted so well that they have only lost three. Pujara, Kohli & Rahane weathered a storm. #AUSvIND

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) December 15, 2018

Absolutely exceptional from King Kohli

Kohli 82 not out. He’s got 26 runs through cover and mid-off. 30 runs through mid-on and midwicket. On-drives, straight-drives, cover-drives - he simply aced them. A rare batsman. A rare innings

— Sidvee (@sidvee) December 15, 2018

Here's what the Prof. thinks

The big thing or difference I have noticed.. is that the Indian batsmen read length better .. particularly Kohli, Pujara and Rahane.. simple footwork..

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) December 15, 2018

Kohli walks to Rahane and the two pump fists, then walk back together. Job done, atleast for today. Australia will come back again in the morning, and perhaps bowl a tad fuller to Rahane initially. But what about Kohli? He has batted the way only he can. Best batsman in the world for a reason. This Test is hinged on this partnership and day 3 promises to be a ripper! 

Chetan Narula, Freelance Cricket Journalist in Perth

15:24 (IST)

Full Scorecard

Assurance in shot selection has been the key for this Indian innings so far after the openers exited. It is always the case with Kohli, but the best thing from Adelaide was that both Pujara and Rahane got into runs, which has helped them bat the way they have today. These two partnerships are India's key in this Test, especially considering how the second innings will be tougher. 

Chetan Narula, Freelance Cricket Journalist in Perth

15:23 (IST)

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After 69 overs,India 172/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 82 , Ajinkya Rahane 51)

STUMPS, Day 2!

Cummins tried hard till the last few seconds of the day to get Virat out. Phew, what a battle we witnessed today. Got another edge off the bat, but the ball landed inches away from second slip. Kohli returns unbeaten on 82 and Rahane on 51. 

Cummins to bowl the last over of the day. 

After 68 overs,India 169/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 79 , Ajinkya Rahane 51)

Lyon's last attempt to get a wicket goes in vain. Bowled 22 overs today, tight lines but could not get a single wicket which should be an achievement for Indian cricket team. Last over of the day coming gup. 

Lyon continues. 

After 67 overs,India 167/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 78 , Ajinkya Rahane 50)

In the last one and a half hour, Rahane has overshadowed Kohli for sure. Not only that, he has made people talk more about him than the three fast bowlers in the opposition's ranks which is quite an achievement. Also, Cummins has been brilliant today, the wicket tally might be empty but he was near to a wicket on many occasions. 

2015 was the last time when Ajinkya Rahane scored fifty-plus scores consecutive innings in Test cricket. It happened against South Africa at Delhi.

Umang Pabari, Cricket statistician

15:14 (IST)

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Not only helped India out of a worrisome position but gradually putting the visitors in a position of command 

Top knock by @ajinkyarahane88. With masterly Kohli as anchor, India’s much-vaunted middle order pulling the team out of trouble and into a position of strength if the current pair remains unseparated till close

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 15, 2018

FOUR! A little wayward from Cummins, on Kohli's hips, who taps it to deep fine leg for a boundary. 

India are halfway there to Australia's total

Incredible fightback from India. Both Kohli & Rahane taking the game to Australia and bedding in for the contest. Thoughts on the pitch? #AUSvIND

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) December 15, 2018

Cummins continues. 

After 66 overs,India 163/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 74 , Ajinkya Rahane 50)

What a knock from Rahane. Has to be appreciated for the way he came and started taking on the bowlers. He got carried away after reaching the milestone, almost giving a caught and bowl to Lyon. 

Some spectacular strokeplay on offer

Oh boy — that straight drive followed by the uppish back foot square drive. The first shot forcing Hazelwood to bowl shorter, the second shot anticipation of that changed length and cashing in. Neat.

— Prem Panicker (@prempanicker) December 15, 2018

FIFTY for Ajinkya Rahane, his second consecutive half-century and overall his 17th. 

Lyon back on. 

After 65 overs,India 160/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 72 , Ajinkya Rahane 49)

Two boundaries in the over as Rahane keeps the score board ticking. What beautiful batting this is from the little man. Just one away from fifty. 

A spanking cover drive for Kohli and just now this shot down the ground for Rahane... they may have shut shop but occasionally they are punishing the bowlers. India are now past 150, edging close to half of Australia's score. 

Chetan Narula, Freelance Cricket Journalist in Perth

15:05 (IST)

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FOUR! Hazlewood went fuller and got hit for a boundary and now goes short and wide to be cut away for another boundary by Rahane. 

FOUR! Shot of the day from Rahane as he hits one with a straight bat and it goes inches past the stumps for a boundary. 

Hazlewood returns.

After 64 overs,India 148/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 69 , Ajinkya Rahane 40)

Cummins continues. Decent over from him. Hazlewood warming up now. Think he will get one burst before the umpires call it a day.

Summed up very well

Today's been so sublime, so enthralling. Test cricket's always the best cricket but this has been at another level. #AusvInd

— Andrew Faulkner (@AndrewFaulkner9) December 15, 2018

Cummins continues. 

After 63 overs,India 147/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 69 , Ajinkya Rahane 39)

Rahane comfortable on back foot abut every now and then comes down the track to play Lyon, which can be risky. Finch at shirt leg is the most aware fielder on the ground whenever Lyon is bowling. You just never know when that catch arrives. 

Lyon continues. 

After 62 overs,India 146/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 69 , Ajinkya Rahane 38)

Kohli stands 4 to 5 inches outside the crease. That is helping him deal with the swing and play the shots on the up. 7 more overs remaining today.

FOUR! Fullish from Cummins and Kohli plays the typical cover drive to extra cover. 

Cummins continues. 

After 61 overs,India 142/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 65 , Ajinkya Rahane 38)

Lyon continues to bowl the same line. Looking for that extra bouncer off the pitch. The shot leg fielder is placed for that purpose.

Lyon continues. 

10 overs remaining for the day. This partnership has been steady and over the last passage of play, their run-rate has fallen. Clearly, this is a sign that they are playing for stumps. It is vital for India that this partnership starts tomorrow morning! 

Chetan Narula, Freelance Cricket Journalist in Perth

14:48 (IST)

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After 60 overs,India 141/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 64 , Ajinkya Rahane 38)

Cummins has replaced Starc, who was looking a little tired. Kohli dealing in singles at the moment. Rahane too looking good. India in control of things. 

Cummins back on. 

After 59 overs,India 140/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 63 , Ajinkya Rahane 38)

Bowling quicker in the air is Lyon from around the wicket to Kohli. Off the pitch his deliveries usually come at a good speed to the ball. Defending them as he bowls from round the wicket gives a good chance to short leg fielder for a catch. 

Lyon continues. 

After 58 overs,India 139/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 62 , Ajinkya Rahane 38)

Brilliant innings this is turning out to be from Rahane. He is looking relaxed and scoring runs freely. As if he had a machine which helped him kick out all the negative thoughts from his mind. The low scores in the last few innings, the talk of not making a hundred for more than a year. Rahane is batting free of all those talks and notions. Hits a boundary, collects a single. Superb stuff 6 from the over. 

FOUR! Half-volley presented to Rahane, who hits it through the covers for an easy boundary. 

Starc continues. 

After 57 overs,India 133/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 61 , Ajinkya Rahane 33)
Lyon again aims at Kohli from round the wicket. Kohli gives the due respect to the ball turning in to him. Just 1 from the over. 

Lyon continues. 

After 56 overs,India 132/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 61 , Ajinkya Rahane 32)

Kohli and Rahane bring up their fifty-run stand. This has come in quick time as compared to the one between Pujara and Kohli (74 off 200 balls). 

Starc continues. 

After 55 overs,India 130/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 60 , Ajinkya Rahane 31)

Rahane was very watchful in the over. His partnership with Kohli just 2 away from touching the fifty mark. A maiden comes to an end. 

Lyon continues. 

After 54 overs,India 130/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 60 , Ajinkya Rahane 31)

Starc returns. Chooses to come around the wicket. Kohli 40 away from first hundred on the tour. Still some distance away but Aussies would know that if he scores a ton on this track, it will only get better for him as the series progresses.