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3rd Test, Day 2: India declare on 443/7

3rd Test, Day 2: India declare on 443/7

Rohit Sharma

India declared their first innings after scoring a mammoth 443 for the loss of seven wickets to leave Australia with just six overs to bat on Day 2 of the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.

India's massive total was powered by a classic century from Cheteshwar Pujara (106) and half-centuries from skipper Virat Kohli (82), debutant opener Mayank Agarwal (76) and Rohit Sharma (63 not out).

Pujara's brilliant inning ended after the right-handed batsman lost his wicket to a low ball of Australian pacer Pat Cummins. The 30-year old was sent back to the pavilion minutes after Indian skipper Virat Kohli was dismissed by Mitchell Starc.

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India reached 277 for loss of two wickets at lunch on the second day. Pujara, who resumed the inning on Day 2 at 68, went on to hit his 17th Test century to put India in a dominating position while skipper Kohli reached his half-century early today.

Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane made 34 while and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant contributed 39 to add to Australia's woes.

For the hosts, pacer Pat Cummins emerged the hero returning with figures of 3/72 while Mitchell Starc contributed with two wickets.

Josh Hazlewood and lone spinner Nathan Lyon worked hard for their one wicket apiece.