Kohli is all smiles after scoring his ninth Test century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

India’s batting duo of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane punished Australia as they both scored centuries on the third day of the third Test in Melbourne.

Starting out the day on 108/1, India opener Murali Vijay and batsman Cheteshwar Pujara failed to add a single run to their 53-run partnership as Pujara was caught behind off the bowling of Ryan Harris for 25.

Vijay went on to make 68 off 135 balls, which included seven boundaries, before he was caught by Shaun Marsh at first slip off the bowling of Shane Watson.

Kohli and Rahane stabilised the innings with a 262-run partnership, during which Kohli brought up his ninth Test century and Rahane his third, before Rahane was given out lbw off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.

Rahane’s career-best knock of 147 came off 171 balls and included 21 boundaries.

Rahane hit 21 boundaries during his career-best knock of 147

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Debutant Lokesh Rahul only made three runs before he was caught by Josh Hazlewood at backward square leg off the bowling of Lyon.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni fared no better as he was caught behind off the bowling of Harris for 11 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin failed to trouble the scorers as he was caught and bowled by Harris for a duck.

Kohli ended up making a career-best 169, which came off 272 balls and included 18 boundaries, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.

Following Kohli’s dismissal, the umpires decided to bring play to an end for the day.

Harris was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Lyon snapped up two and Johnson and Watson chipped in with one wicket apiece.

India ended day three on 462/8 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:30 local time or 23:30 GMT (previous day).