India vs Australia, 3rd Test Day 1 in pictures: Kohli-Pujara take India to 215/2- as it happened on Boxing Day at MCG

India have won the toss and elected to bat. Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari will open the batting. While there is some grass on the MCG pitch, it should be good batting track after the early hours. 

(Image: BCCI File Photo)

India vs Australia 3rd Test: A poor batting in the second innings of the Perth Test led India to a crushing defeat against Australia. At MCG, India will be punting on the rookie opening pair of Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari after deciding to finally drop their out-of-form openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay. Rohit Sharma will return at No.6 while Ravindra Jadeja will provide the spin option.

India Playing 11: Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah. 

(Image: AFP FIle Photo)

India vs Australia 3rd Test: A rejuvenated Australia on the other hand will have their tail up after the victory in the previous Test and will look to continue their winning momentum. They have recalled all-rounder Mitchell Marsh at the expense of middle order batsman Peter Handscomb in the only change to the side who won the Perth test by 146 runs.

Australia Playing 11: Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain-wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

(Image: AFP FIle Photo)

India vs Australia 3rd Test: It has been quite a contrasting start from the Indian openers in the first half hour. While Mayank Agarwal has an strike rate of 90plus, Hanuma Vihari got his first run off his 25th ball. Mayank has git boundaries so far- however he has been a bit lucky as well. India 26/0 after 8 overs.

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Hanuma Vihari was hit on the helmet as he tried to duck a short ball from Pat Cummins. He was assessed by the team doctor and a new helmet came out. But he is ok and will go on.

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India vs Australia 3rd Test: Pat Cummins bowls another briliant short bowl and this time it takes the wrist of Hanuma Vihari and goes up in air. It is taken at slip. Vihari's slow but defiant innings comes to an end. He goes for 8 off 66 balls. India lose their first wicket.

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India vs Australia 3rd Test: Mayank Agarwal (34*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (10*) take India to 57/1 at lunch on opening day of Boxing Day Test match.

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FIFTY for Mayank Agarwal. He reaches the milestone in his debut match. According to Mohandas Menon, Agarwal is the second Indian to make a 50+ on Test debut on Australian soil after Dattu Phadkar (51) at SCG in December 1947. 

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India get to 100 and then Mayank Agarwal celebrates with first SIX of the match. Mayank and Cheteshwar Pujara are making bat look easy here. Mayank looks set for a big one here.

(Image: @BCCI)

Maynak Agarwal (76) loses his wicket just ahead of tea as he is caught behind off Pat Cummins. India reach 123 for two at tea with Cheteshwar Pujara was unbeaten on 33. He will be joined by skipper Virat Kohli when the final session of the day will begin after the break.

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Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara have taken India past 150. Kohli seems to be in a hurry as he moves to 23 runs off 23 balls. Pujara is also well settled at the other end. If these two remain unbeaten today, Australia will be in a lot of trouble.

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Cheteshwar Pujara is continuing his great form. He gets his 21st Test fifty and also brings up the fifty partnership for the third wicket.

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200 up for India. It has been slow and steady progress for India. Virat Kohli is nearing another half-century while Pujara is looking solid at the other. Australia will be hoping to do some damage with the new ball. 

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Cheteshwar Pujara (68*) and Virat Kohli (47*) take India to 215/2 at stumps on opening day of Boxing Day Test at MCG. It was hard-fought but the day belonged to India. 

(Image: @BCCI)