India declare 1st innings at 443/7 in 3rd test against Australia, Pujara hits 17th ton

Speed Post News Network

Patna : India declared their first innings at 443/7 in 169.4 overs after Ravindra Jadeja fell to Josh Hazlewood for four in the third session of the play on day 2 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, on December 27, 2018. Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on 63 in 114 balls with 5 fours. Australia were 5/0 after 3.2 overs.

Resuming at their overnight score of 215/2, India lost their third wicket when captain Virat Kohli fell to fast bowler Mitchell Starc for 82 in 204 balls with 9 fours when the score was 293. Kohli added 170 runs with Pujara for the third wicket. Pujara too fell soon to Pat Cummins for 106, his 17th test ton, when the score was 299. Ajinkya Rahane fell to spinner Nathan Lyon for 34 in 76 balls with only 2 fours when the score was 361. Lyon has dismissed Rahane for the 9th time. Rahane added 62 runs with Rohit Sharma for the 5th wicket. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant fell to Starc for 39 in 76 balls with 3 fours.

For Australia, Pat Cummins took 3/72 while Starc took 2/87. Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon took one wicket each. Starc was bowling at brutal pace on day too.  India had elected to bat after winning the toss.