DHAKA: MCG on only very rare occasion witnessed such a brilliant batting partnership from overseas batsmen. Virat Kohli and Ajinka Rahane produced wonderful display of scintillating stroke play.
Awful India looked down and out after punishing innings of Australian captain Steve Smith and lively contributions of tail enders.530 in the first innings can be a very competitive score in any test match at MCG if a team possess strong all round attack.
Australia with Mitchel Johnson, Ryan Harris and Jose Hazelwood could expect to put India under huge pressure. But quality Indian top order batsmen started confidently creating a good enough platforms for brilliant Virat Kohli and talented Ajinka Rahane produce a master class partnership of 262 India’s highest stand outside Asia in the last 10 years.
The partnership is only India's fourth 250-plus stand outside Asia for any wicket, with the highest being the 353 runs posted by Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in Sydney in 2004.
Without asking any question to the top quality batting of the Indian pair, the butter finger Australian fielders also helped their cause. But Australia could finally manage to remove both Kohli and Rahane. India was still 68 runs in arrears with only nine, ten and jack at the wicket.
It was after 90 years an overseas pair posted 200 plus partnership for any wicket at MCG after Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe scored 283 run opening stand in 1925. This was also the second instance that both the teams produced 400 plus first innings in MCG Boxing day test. Australia and Pakistan did this in 1983.
Ryan Harris removed Chetasawar Pujara in the very first over of the third morning. Kohli joined Vijay and the pair was looking solid till Vijay misread the length of Watson.
Kohli and Rahane then set into a classic partnership of scintillating stroke play. Theirs was classic display of quality stroke making. True the Australian fielders for a change dropped both of them but the MCG fans thoroughly enjoyed the very entertaining partnership. Both were very wristy and the cover drives and on drives was treat to watch.
Fiery Mitchel Johnson in recent times was not treated so harshly.He leaked 133 runs in 29.2-over. The only consolation for him was that he could finally get the prized scalp of Kohli. Of the two Rahane was more adventurous. He struck 21 fours in his 171 ball 147 and was adjudged leg before trying to sweep Lyon.
Kohli was in his true element playing a classic innings of 169. He fell to Johnson at the dying minute of the day. If he survived India could rally to get a lead. But his wicket created opportunity for the home team wrap up the innings early on the fourth morning. The match is poised for a fascinating contest.
Australian bowling looked pretty ordinary on the day.Even the fielding especially catching looked terrible .Several catches were dropped. It was after a long time Australia fielded so poorly. Much was expected of debutant Rahul and Captain Dhoni.
But both failed to deliver. Of the Australian bowlers only Harris did justice to his name taking 4 wickets for 69 runs. With two more days left the test is wide open with all three results possible.
BDST: 2146 HRS, DEC 28, 2014
