Indian batsmen have set a challenging first innings total for the hosts Australia in the ongoing third Test of the series at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne). At the stumps of day two, Australia scored 8/0 in the reply of India’s 443/7 decl.

The visiting side started the second day of the Test match on their overnight score 215/2. Starting the day from the 92-run partnership for the third wicket, Cheteshwar Pujara and the skipper Virat Kohli stretched their partnership to 170 runs.

Also read: Mitchell Johnson Terms Pujara As Run-machine, Indian Fan Trolls Him

While Kohli completed his half-century at early in the morning, Pujara hit his 17th Test century in 280 balls. After their brilliant partnership, Kohli was dismissed on 82 runs off 204 balls (9 fours) while Pujara soon followed him on 106 runs off 319 balls (10 fours).

This century by @cheteshwar1 has laid the foundation for India to get ahead in this match. One more good partnership needed. The bounce is already uneven, which is a good sign for #TeamIndia. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/CPfDNTLpxj

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 27, 2018

Another fantastic 💯 from @cheteshwar1 👏🏻

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) December 27, 2018

After that, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma had the 62-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Rahane lost his wicket on 34 runs, but Rohit stretched his innings with the wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. While Rohit completed his half-century in 97 balls, Rohit and Pant had a 76-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Also watch: Tim Paine Uses IPL Rivalry To Frustrate Rohit Sharma

Soon after the third new ball was taken in that innings, India lost Pant (39) and Ravindra Jadeja (4) and the skipper decided to declare the innings on 443/7. Rohit remained not out on 63 runs off 114 balls (5 fours).

Strange declaration from India. With Rohit there India could have got 50/75 runs or even more runs, runs which would be harder to get batting second. Made sense in getting them now.#AusvInd

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 27, 2018

Among the Aussie bowlers, pacers Pat Cummins (3/72) and Mitchell Starc (2/87) bagged three and two wickets respectively. Also, Josh Hazlewood (1/86) and Nathan Lyon (1/110) picked up one wicket each.

In reply, Australia scored 8/0 at the end of the second day. Both the openers Marcus Harris (5) and Aaron Finch (3) remained safe at the stumps on day two.

Also read: Virat Kohli Breaks Long Standing Record Of Rahul Dravid

Some important stats of day 2 of Melbourne Test between Australia and India

• The no.3 Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara scored 106 runs. The first Indian no.3 batsman to score a Test century at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne).
• It is Cheteshwar Pujara’s second Test century in Australia at the no.3 position. Pujara is only the second no.3 Indian batsman to score more than one Test century in Australia. Mohinder Amarnath was the first man in this list who had scored two Test centuries in Australia at the no.3 batting position.
• India scored 443/7 decl. in their first innings. India’s third largest total in a Test innings at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne). The top two in this list are 465 and 445.
• A total of six Indian batsmen among the top seven reached the 30-run mark during the first innings. It is the fourth time when the six Indian batsmen among the top seven reached the 30-run mark in the same Test innings on the Australian soil. Last time it happened during the 2004 Sydney Test (first innings).
• Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon had the bowling figure of 48-7-110-1. The second most runs conceded in a Test innings by an Australian bowler against India at Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne). The record holder is former Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson who had the bowling figure of 30.5-6-135-3 in December 2014.