New Delhi:
Cheteshwar Pujara slammed his 17th century and Virat Kohli displayed his consistency by blasting his 20th fifty. The Indian skipper was unlucky to miss out on a century while Pujara was undone by some low bounce. Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma strung a solid partnership, with Rohit also hitting a solid fifty. Some aggressive hitting from Rishabh Pant helped India reach 443/7 before they declared. Australia's openers survived a testing spell from Jasprit Bumrah and India will be counting on more wickets from the right-arm pacer ahead of day 3 in the Boxing Day Test. (SCORECARD)
There is the declaration. Jadeja looks to drive a wide ball from Hazlewood and edges it to the keeper. Kohli immediately calls them in and Australia will have a tricky period to negotiate.
Rishabh Pant plays a poor shot as he slogs a short ball from Starc and the top-edge is taken by Usman Khawaja. After two boundaries, the adrenaline was too difficult to control.
Australia have dropped two catches in the last 30 minutes, with Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant getting a life. On such a lifeless wicket, these chances have to be taken.
Rohit Sharma is nearing a fifty. India have already batted for 157 overs. On this pitch, this might be the scoring rate and taking 20 wickets might prove to be a big task. It is a question of how Australia's batsmen cope with the conditions.
WICKET! That is a magnificent ball and Lyon breaks the wicketless jinx. This ball hits the rough and stays low, Rahane stays back and looks to work it to midwicket but gets hit on the pad and he trapped plumb in front.
India have gone past 350 with Rahane and Rohit, the two Mumbai batsmen making good progress. Nathan Lyon has gone wicketless for over 40 overs now which is a huge feat.
Rahane and Rohit are stitching a solid partnership as India look to avoid further setbacks ahead of the Tea break.
Rohit Sharma is also batting in an aggressive manner as India aim to make good progress ahead of the Tea Break. Maybe, India will be aiming to get Australia in for one final hour.
Rahane is looking in great touch and he steers Josh Hzalewood to the third man fence.
India have gone past 300 but they will be eyeing a total in excess of 450-500 in order to put pressure on Australia. The pitch is starting to show some uneven bounce.
WICKET! Brilliant ball from Pat Cummins and Australia are fighting back. Good length ball on middle and leg stump, it nips away sharply and squares up Pujara, it stays low and Pujara falls for 106. Brilliant knock comes to an end.
WICKET! Finally, Australia have the wicket and Mitchell Starc has a sheepish smile. Kohli was looking to take the attack to the bowlers but has perished. Kohli upper-cuts a short ball from Starc and the top-edge sails to third man where Finch takes the catch. Misses out on a century but he was apparently discomforted with a back injury.
Lunch on day 2 of the Boxing Day Test. Cheteshwar Pujara has ensured India are in a commanding position and with Virat Kohli eyeing a ton, the situation is looking ominous for Australia.
Cheteshwar Pujara, you star! You champion! What a moment. He drills Nathan Lyon down the ground to bring up his 17th century and his second in the series. India are grinding Australia to the ground.
Cheteshwar Pujara is into the 90s and Australia are in danger of ending another session without a wicket. This will not help their prospects one bit.
Australia are working extremely hard to break this stand but there is just no help from this wicket. The MCG wicket is once again under scrutiny and another bad review could potentially be disastrous.
Both batsmen are ticking along at a nice rate. However, Kohli has played some loose strokes but he is hanging there. Pat Cummins really troubled Kohli.
Pujara enters the 80s by steering a full and wide ball from Mitchell Starc to the third man fence. Pat Cummins is bowling brilliantly and is troubling Virat Kohli while Starc continues to struggle slightly for rhythm and control.
A warm welcome to day 2 of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia. Virat Kohli has hit his 20th fifty and is on course to score yet another century. Cheteshwar Pujara, on the other hand, is in great touch and is eyeing yet another 100. The partnership is now over 100. This looks like a day of centuries in Melbourne.
