Mayank Agarwal made a strong start to his Test career
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Debutant Mayank Agarwal and batsman Cheteshwar Pujara scored 76 and 68 not out respectively as India punished Australia on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Choosing to bat first, India got off to a solid start as Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari amassed a 40-run partnership before Vihari was caught by Aaron Finch at second slip off the bowling of Pat Cummins for eight runs.
Oh that's nasty! Pace and bounce from Pat Cummins for the first wicket of the Boxing Day Test.#AUSvIND | @toyota_aus pic.twitter.com/POFkUwbgaY
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
Agarwal and Pujara kept the runs flowing with an 83-run stand, during which Agarwal brought up his fifty, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Cummins for 76, which came off 161 balls and included eight boundaries and a six.
Bringing up a fifty on debut in style!#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/GRNIQ1vlO4
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
Agarwal on the attack against Lyon!
Watch live via Kayo here: https://t.co/0glOblMnaq #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/M7KJpXu5XI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
Pujara and India captain Virat Kohli added 92 runs to the score, during which Pujara surpassed his half-century, before stumps was called.
Patient Pujara with another Test half-century!#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/o0FfVLsI8p
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018
Pujara finished on 68, which came off 200 balls and included six boundaries, while Kohli remained undefeated on 47, which came off 107 deliveries and included six boundaries.
Cummins was the only bowler to take any wickets.
India ended day one on 215/2 and will continue batting on Thursday at 10:30 local time or 23:30 GMT (the previous day).