India vs Aus Third Test Day 3 Highlights: Rahane, Kohli slam centuries
Melbourne, Australia: Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane brought up defiant centuries in an unbeaten 189-run partnership to lead India to 462 for the loss of eight wickets at stumps, closing on Australia's first-innings target of 530 on day three of the third test Sunday.
After the loss of two early wickets, Kohli and Rahane confidently set about anchoring India's run chase, making the most of the placid Melbourne Cricket Ground wicket.
First pic is the second ball of day three, the second is the final ball. What a day! http://t.co/LDINCret7f #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/IwLKWOucWH
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 28, 2014Rahane was the first to bring up his century, slashing a four over gully and was 111 not out at the break. Kohli followed soon after with a four through cover and was unbeaten on 104.
WATCH: Highlights of Rahane's third Test ton: http://t.co/jVF0VUdu9Q #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/pfDBqDzVDP
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 28, 2014
The pair brought up India's first fourth-wicket century partnership at the MCG off 138 balls.
Ryan Harris (2-59) gave Australia a perfect start by dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara for his overnight score of 25 off the second ball of the day, thanks to an athletic, one-handed catch by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Shane Watson (1-56) soon after claimed opener Murali Vijay for 68, caught at backward point by Shaun Marsh.
Kohli, who scored two centuries in the first test at Adelaide, got two reprieves in the second session when offspinner Nathan Lyon missed a clear caught and bowled opportunity with the batsman on 84, and then on 88 when Watson dropped an edge at slip off Mitchell Johnson.
The Australian pacemen looked in ominous form early in the day, and despite setting an international cricket record of more than 328 runs without conceding a sundry, could not find another breakthrough.
India started the day at 108-1 after losing Shikhar Dhawan to a Steven Smith catch at third slip off Harris on Saturday.
On day two, Smith fell just eight runs short of a double century to help lead Australia to its daunting total. It was the Australia captain's third century of the series and seventh of his test career. On the way he also passed hard-hitting opener David Warner as Australia's highest test scorer of 2014 with 1,132 runs.
India needs to win the third test to keep its chances alive in the four-match series. Australia can clinch reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy with a win or draw in Melbourne after a 48-run win in the first test and a four-wicket victory last week in the second test at Brisbane. Brief scores: India 462/8 (V Kohli 169, A Rahane 147; R Harris 4/69) against Australia 530
WATCH NOW: Ryan Harris speaking to the media after day three at the @MCG. Live stream here: http://t.co/qlB0kQ21Y5 #AUSvIND
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 28, 2014LIVE: Virat Kohli is speaking to the media now. Watch the live stream here: http://t.co/QWaJwh5ccY #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Cd6HjftPQk— Cricket Video (@CricketVideo) December 28, 2014
