Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground and elected to bat first. India playing with two new openers – Debutant Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari gave the much-needed start for the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli to cash on. At stumps on Day 1, India has put up 215/2.
1st Session:
India dropped Murli Vijay and KL Rahul who performed poorly in the first two Test matches and roped in Mayank Agarwal and promoted Hanuma Vihari up the order. The duo did exactly what was needed – to see off the new ball. Vihari contributed only 8 but he faced a total of 66 balls until he was ruffled by an unplayable Pat Cummins’ bouncer. The opening partnership lasted for nearly 19 overs making 40 runs.
Oh that’s nasty! Pace and bounce from Pat Cummins for the first wicket of the Boxing Day Test.#AUSvIND | @toyota_aus pic.twitter.com/POFkUwbgaY
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
India went into lunch with 57/1.
That’s lunch! India go to the break at 1-57 with Pat Cummins claiming the wicket for the Aussies.
Scorecard: https://t.co/0glOblMnaq #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/jS56q5Pp3v
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
2nd Session:Â
The young debutant soon brought up his fifty and that too in style. He came down the track and smashed Nathan Lyon for a six.
Bringing up a fifty on debut in style!#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/GRNIQ1vlO4
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
Agarwal was looking all set for a century in his first match but that dream didn’t materialize. Pat Cummins got Australia the much needed break through right before tea. The 27 year old batsman gloved one straight into the hands of wicketkeeper Tim Paine.
India went into tea at 123/2 with Pujara 33*.
Misses out on a ton. @mayankcricket falls at the stroke of Tea for 76. #TeamIndia 123/2 with Pujara on 33* #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/IstFI0xbxP
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2018
Session 3:
Cheteshwar Pujara completed his half-century.
Patient Pujara with another Test half-century!#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/o0FfVLsI8p
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
Captain Kohli continuing on a rich vein of the form displayed some incredible shots. He accelerated the run rate. The run rate at the start of the day was 2 and under with Kohli coming to the crease, the run rate went upto 3.
At stumps on Day 1, India is 215/2 with Pujara and Kohli batting on 68* and 47* respectively. With Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to follow, India will look to get a big first innings score.
That’s stumps! India finish the day on 2-215 with Kohli 47* and Pujara 68*. Cummins with two wickets for the Aussies: https://t.co/0glOblMnaq #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/AAGzPI3GEj
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
Undoubtedly, the highlight of today’s match has to be Mayank Agarwal’s superb debut.
Mayank Agarwal played some classy shots in his debut knock in Test cricket!#AUSvIND | @MastercardAU pic.twitter.com/G9RRHBICTW
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
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