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Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli added 262 runs for fourth wicket on day three at the MCG


Dec 28, 2014
Melbourne

Centuries from Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli ensured that India showed some kind of a fightback on the 3rd day of the 3rd Test between India and Australia at the MCG.

After loosing Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay cheaply in the morning, Rahane and Kohli batted with abundance and took the attack to the Australian fast bowlers. Rahane in particular was impressive in attacking anything short that was bowled to him and he took the charge in the partnership with Kohli.

Virat Kohli showed the maturity in the best innings that he has played on this toured and he let Rahane play the attacker's part. Ajinkya Rahane was severe when it came to short bowling from Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris.

Rahane hared to his highest test score of 147 and his 3rd century of his test career. After his dismissal, the debutant KL Rahul had a short but adventurous stay at the wicket. He was dropped of his second ball by substitute Peter Siddle, before getting out to Lyon, trying to sweep him out of the Melbourne cricket ground.

Australia struck back with quick wickets of MS Dhoni and R.Ashwin to go on the top, before getting the prized wicket of Virat Kohli, who was brilliantly caught by Brad Haddin off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson in the last over of the day's play. Kohli made his highest score in test cricket with this matured innings of 169.

India are now 68 runs behind with 2 wickets in hand. They will pray that the tail wags and they can at least wipe off the deficit and then hope to bowl out Australia for something reasonable to chase on the final day.

 Fact: The partnership of 262 between Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli is the second 250 partnership in 90 years on this ground by a visiting team.
The last such partnership was when England openers Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe posted a 283 run stand in 1925.