MELBOURNE, Dec 27, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A dogged Cheteshwar Pujara hit a classy century as he and Virat Kohli patiently steered India into a dominant position in the third Test against Australia on Thursday.
At lunch on day two, they were 277 for two with Pujara not out 103 and Kohli on 69, leaving Australia facing mounting problems on a lifeless pitch offering little for the bowlers.
India lost opening pair Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal on day one but it only served to bring two of the world’s best batsmen together, with their partnership now worth 154.
Pujara, who has scored more runs and faced more balls than any other batsman in the series, was 68 not out overnight and continued slowly to build on his total.
He edged a Mitchell Starc delivery to bring up the 100 stand and rarely looked troubled as he moved towards a 17th Test century and second of the series, bringing up three figures with a beautiful drive off Nathan Lyon for four.
Kohli resumed on 47 and passed 50 in the first over of the day, taking three off Pat Cummins for his 20th Test half-century.
It was a patient Kohli, taking his cue from the stoic Pujara by offering few chances as he looks to steer his team to a big score.
The only sniff he gave was an edge off Josh Hazlewood that flew just wide of second slip.
They have been their team’s best batsmen by far during the series and with temperatures climbing towards 36 Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit), Australia’s bowlers face an arduous day.
The flat track in Melbourne follows much livelier pitches in Adelaide and Perth which produced results.
Last year’s Boxing Day Test saw a dull Ashes draw with England that prompted the match referee to grade the pitch “poor” and there was hope for more life in it this time round.
“I’m depressed,” Australia’s assistant coach Brad Haddin told sports radio station SEN when asked about the pitch.
The four-Test series is tied 1-1 after India won the opening clash in Adelaide by 31 runs and Australia drew level with a 146-run victory in Perth.