Australia vs. India 2014, 3rd Test, Day 3: Highlights, Scorecard and Report

A pair of fine centuries from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane hauled India back into contention on Day 3 of the third Test match against Australia. But a flurry of late wickets from the hosts restricted the tourists to 462-8 come close of play, 68 runs behind the Baggy Greens’ first innings score.

The partnership between the aforementioned duo was the highlight of what was another engrossing day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as India sought to bat Australia—who lead the four-match series 2-0—out of contention. But after Mitchell Johnson struck to dislodge Kohli late on, it is the hosts who take some vital momentum in the final two days.

Here’s a glance at the scorecard from the Indian effort on Day 3 and a look back at how the action played out in the Boxing Day Test match:

India 1st Innings: 462/8
Batsman	Dismissal	Runs	Balls
M Vijay	c Marsh b Watson	68	135
S Dhawan	c Smith b Harris	28	51
CA Pujara	c †Haddin b Harris	25	71
V Kohli	c †Haddin b Johnson	169	272
AM Rahane	lbw b Lyon	147	171
KL Rahul	c Hazlewood b Lyon	3	8
MS Dhoni*†	c †Haddin b Harris	11	23
R Ashwin	c & b Harris	0	4
Mohammed Shami	not out	9	23
Extras	(lb 1, w 1)	2
Total	(8 wickets; 126.2 overs)	462
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
MG Johnson	29.2	5	133	1
RJ Harris	25	7	69	4
JR Hazlewood	25	6	75	0
SR Watson	16	3	65	1
NM Lyon	29	3	108	2
SPD Smith	2	0	11	0

"We'll make 650 and try to put them back in," boldly claimed India bowler Ravichandran Ashwin on the cusp of Day 3, per The Guardian, and for long portions of the afternoon at the MCG, his words looked as though they were going to hold some credence.

Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara batted with a real poise to help the tourists through to the end of Day 2 just one wicket down, but neither player was able to establish any kind of rhythm on Day 3, as they both fell early to a pepped up Aussie attack.

Scott Barbour/Getty Images

As we can see here courtesy of Cricket Australia, the catch from Brad Haddin to dismiss Pujara for 25 was very special indeed:

India were toiling at 147-3 by the time Shane Watson had Vijay caught for 68 and the tourists were staring down the barrel of another defeat. But Kohli and Rahane came together to produce a sparkling, match-saving partnership for their team.

Of the two, it was Rahane who looked to take the fight to the Australian attack. He was irrepressibly positive in his play, keeping the home bowlers under pressure with his vast array of shots and sharp running between the wickets. As we can see here courtesy of the Indian Cricket Twitter account, Rahane's ability to score all around the wicket makes him very difficult to bowl at:

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle paid tribute to the efforts of the Indian batsman:

It was a third Test century for Rahane and a third away from India too, showcasing his adaptability outside of the sub-continent. He motored toward 150 at a comparably brisk pace, before eventually falling for an effervescent 147 after being pinned lbw by Nathan Lyon.

Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

One of the factors that allowed Rahane to play with such freedom was the steadying influence of Kohli at the other end. He may not have been as flashy in his play as his partner, but Kohli was studious and clinical when the chances arose. Even when the likes of Johnson tried to take him on with a barrage of short balls, the Indian was up to the challenge, per ESPN Cricinfo:

He notched his ninth Test hundred with patented gumption before motoring past 150. Gaurav Kapur paid tribute to the Indian batsman:

After Rahane departed, AltCricket highlighted just how important a partnership it had been:

"

That Kohli/Rahane partnership was 262 runs, at a run rate of 4.52. Not a stretch to say that was reminiscent of VVS & Dravid.

— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) December 28, 2014"

What followed will have been somewhat concerning for India, though. The Australian middle and lower orders have flourished throughout this series, adding critical runs and initiative to their cause, whereas India’s have toiled badly. At the end of the day, the losses of Rahane, Lokesh Rahul, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ashwin wrestled the impetus back for the Aussies.

Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Cricket statistician Mohandas Menon provided the figures behind the latest collapse:

And to cap off a fine late fightback, Johnson finally took the wicket of Kohli for a sensational 169, prompting the umpires to call stumps on a ferocious and frantic day.

Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The start of Day 4 is set to be vital for both sides. If the hosts can prise out the final two wickets in the first hour then Australia can get on with bolstering their lead and plotting a way to win the match. 

For India, it’s a tricky situation, as the chance of victory and subsequently the series looks to have gone unless they produce a sensational bowling display on the penultimate day. With that in mind, perhaps we’ll see the tailenders come out swinging in the morning in a bid to smash some quick runs and preserve an admittedly slim chance of triumphing.