Virat Kohli breaks 16-year-old record, Steve Smith allowed to participate in T20 league after rule change, and more - Cricket News Today, December 27 2018

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The Indian cricket team ended Day 2 of the third Test against Australia on top with some fine batting throughout the three sessions. They played extremely patiently and made the Australian bowlers work hard.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli continued from where they left yesterday and put on a 170 run partnership, with the former scoring a century. Kohli was dismissed for 82 after which Rohit Sharma scored a half-century. In the end, India declared at 443-7. In reply, Australia ended the day on 8-0 despite a great bowling effort by the trio of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja.

Having said that, let's take a look at the top news from today:

#1 Paine's hilarious conversation with Rohit Sharma; Starc lets out frustration at Pant

The stump mic has given the fans access to all the sledging and banter between the players on the field. There was a lot of action during the 2nd day's play today, firstly with Australian captain Tim Paine having a hilarious conversation with Aaron Finch about Rohit Sharma.

While Lyon was bowling to Rohit, Paine was heard telling Finch, "It’s been a toss up for me between Royals and Indians, and if Rohit hits a six here, I am changing to Mumbai."

"If Rohit hits a six here I'm changing to Mumbai" 😂#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/JFdHsAl84b

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2018

However, Rohit didn't respond and went through the over without making a mistake.

Things did heat up later on in the day as a visibly frustrated Starc let out his frustration at the young Rishabh Pant, who was running on the danger area of the pitch.

''He's f***ing done it again mate! How dumb are ya?!'After a long day in the field, Mitchell Starc is not happy with @RishabPant777 😡😡😡 https://t.co/st8Xp1gdBU pic.twitter.com/ZI7dyrFcEb

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) December 27, 2018

"He’s f***ing done it again mate,” shouted Starc at the umpire. He then looked back at Pant and said, “How dumb are ya?”

Starc did hurl a 147.5 kmph bouncer at Pant the very next delivery and then got his wicket in his next over with another short delivery.

#2 Virat Kohli breaks Rahul Dravid's record

Australia v India - 3rd Test: Day 2

With his 82-run knock against Australia today, Virat Kohli surpassed Rahul Dravid to become India's leading run-getter in overseas Tests in a calendar year with 1138 runs to his name this year. He surpassed Dravid's tally of 1137 runs which was set way back in 2002.

He is currently third on the all-time list, with West Indies legend Viv Richards(1154) and South Africa's Graeme Smith(1212) ahead of him.

He will have one more chance to surpass both the batsmen when he comes out to bat in the second innings.

#3 Steve Smith given permission to participate in BPL

Steve Smith

A week after being denied participation in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League, the tournament organisers have now given him the permission to play.

Smith was initially denied participation as his name was not in the initial players list. He was coming into the tournament as Asela Gunaratne's replacement for the Comilla Victorians.

However, the organisers changed the rules to pave the way for Smith's participation.

"We could not give him permission earlier as other franchises had protested his signing," BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus said on Thursday.

"Today four franchises emailed us separately saying that they have withdrawn their objections for the greater interest of the tournament," he said.

#4 Boult picks up 6 wickets in 15 balls against SL

Trent Boult

Trent Boult was on fire against Sri Lanka and ripped through their middle and lower order as he picked up six wickets in just 15 deliveries in the ongoing Test at Christchurch.

He picked up the wickets of Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera and Suranga Lakmal in the same over but missed out on a hattrick.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 104 after NZ scored 178 in the first innings. The Kiwis do have the upper hand now though as they ended the second day at 231-2.

"The plans were simple this morning. It was about building pressure on the guys and it was nice to exploit a bit of their weaknesses with some swing bowling. I was just trying to pitch the ball up really," said Boult after the day's play.