Australia v India 2014, 3rd Test - Lunch Report: Virat Kohli leads India to 224 for three

Virat Kohli

Melbourne, Dec 28 (IANS) India lost their two overnight batsmen, but Virat Kohli's unbeaten 60 has taken the team to 224 for three at lunch in their first innings on Day 3 of the third Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Sunday.

Kohli was batting on 60, accompanied by Ajinkya Rahane (batting 43), to stabilise India's innings that was in a spot of bother after losing both Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara within the first hour of the play.

India still trail by 306 runs but would pin their hopes on the blossoming Kohli-Rahane partnership that was unbeaten on 77 runs at lunch.

But India's start to the day's action could not have been worse.

No.3 batsman Pujara, resuming on his overnight score of 25, was dismissed on the second ball of the day by pacer Ryan Harris, caught brilliantly by a diving Brad Haddin.

Haddin had dropped a much simpler chance offered by Pujara when he was on 12 on Saturday but dived full length to his right to grab the edge, which was induced by Harris when the batsman tried to cut a ball too close to his body.

Australia intensified their aggressive bowling, mixing bouncers with fuller length deliveries. Mitchell Johnson hit Vijay on the helmet with a sharp rising delivery and kept probing the batsman with some tight bowling.

He was backed up by his teammates who also kept the batsmen on a tight leash.

With all the pressure and responsibility on his shoulders, Kohli began his innings in a fine fashion. Batting judiciously, he picked the right deliveries to score, playing straight to unleash some superb straight and cover drives.

He and Vijay were beginning to build up a partnership when all-rounder Shane Watson struck.

Australia were rewarded for their consistent line with the well-set Vijay falling for the trap set for him. But Rahane, together with Kohli, batted sensibly and kept the scoreboard ticking, stitching together a promising partnership.