Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli built on an impressive 76 from debutant Mayank Agarwal to pile pain on Australia in the crucial third Test of the 5-match series🐼.
On a docile, batsman-friendly MCG wicket, India ground their way t♓o 215 for two at ꦚstumps on day one with the rock-like Pujara not out 68 and King Kohli unbeaten on 47 as the bowlers toiled in hot conditions for little reward.
Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers, ta🗹king two for 40.
India came into the Boxing Day Test with a new pair of inexperienced openers after the misfiring Murali Vijay and KL Rahul were dropped, suggesting a hint of panic as Kohli’s men look to win their first-ever series on Australian soil.
But the exciting Agarwal rose to theꦺ occasion in front of 73,500ꦍ fans after captain Kohli won an important toss and opted to bat on a pitch that is expected to deteriorate as the match wears on.
Agarwal scored 76 runs off 161 balls with the help of 8 fo♒urs and a six, he was looking impregnable before Cummins had him caught behind by Tim Paine as he gloved the last ball before Tea down the legside.
It brought Kohli to the crease to a huge roar from the large Indian contingent at the MCG and he set about building an unbroken 92-run partne💦rship with Pujara.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Seeing my Best Friend getting his cap and debuting for the Country makes me so Happy and Proud today. 👑🤗
Upwards and On💮wards my brother, you’re just getting started Monkus. 🐓💪🏽#295 🇮🇳
— K L Rahul (@klrahul)
Very happy for . Has waited for his opportunity and has made it count on the big stage. Pujara solid as ever and Kohli looking good. India wil🧸l need to bat big in the first innings
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
A wonderful start to his Test Career fo🥂r Mayank Agarwal and the two experienced batsman Pujara and Virat looking solid and playing really well. Hope India can carry on with the momentum and post 450+ and put pressure on the Austral🌄ians
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Good day for India, though scored onಌly 215 in the day, but the fact that they lost only 2 wickets makes it their day. 66 balls that Vihari played were very crucial, Mayank has had a great start ,Pujara and Kohli looking ominous
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
A great first day in ! with a smashing test debut. and Pujara sailin🦋g the ship ahead slowly but surely for India. Good one boys! 🇮🇳
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
Fifty on debut. In Aus. On the Boxing Day. Comp😼osure. Well done, Mayank Agarwal 😊🙌👍
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
A well beginning is half done !! Well batted for ur runs on debut !! A complete sense that u belong at the international level and the positivity with which u batted w🐓as a pleasure to see !! Well done young man .🏏🏏 day test !!
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas)
Fine dꦉebut for Mayank Agarwal. Ma💜y not have been a hundred but he played like he belonged.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Runs have been at a premium, but India with only two batsmen dismiꦯssed hold the edg﷽e. Of course a 2-3 quick wickets tomorrow could change the equation dramatically. Much depends on how Pujara-Kohli negotiate first hour. Story of first day surely Mayank Agarwal’s fine debut
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
Like Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal made his Test debut against Australia at the mature age of 27, withꦺ much exp💛erience at the first class level. Mayank’s first Test innings may not have the dash of Dhawan’s, but it has been equally impressive, given the state of the series.
— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha)
what was all this fuss about test cricket? – mayank agarwal
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75)
