1st Test: Pujara, Kohli extend India’s lead past 150

Kohli continues to grow in confidence. A wide half-volley from Starc is sent crashing through the covers for a four before he takes one two balls later and Pujara defends the rest of the over.

Lyon comes back as Head is taken off after just a couple of overs. Kohli watchfully defends the first three balls before he clips the fourth on the leg side for one.

Starc bowls a quiet over as Kohli opts to defend with caution. Pujara has the physio come out and attend to his hamstring.

With just six overs left in the day, it looks like India’s batsmen have already decided to shut shop.

Pujara watchfully plays out a maiden over from Lyon as he continues to frustrate the spinner by using his pads to defend.

Hazlewood comes back to replace Starc and he bowls a good over as Pujara is beaten outside the off-stump.

Lyon strikes a few overs before stumps and that too with the big wicket of Kohli. The India captain comes forward to defend but the ball turns sharply to take the inside edge and Finch at short leg completes an easy catch.

Kohli walks back after a sedate innings of 34 from 104 balls as India are reduced to 147 for three, with an overall lead of 162 runs.

New batsman Ajinkya Rahane gives Lyon the charge and drives him through the covers for a single to get off the mark.

Part-time spinner Travis Head comes into the attack, as Lyon gets a break. The first ball is halfway down the track as Kohli pulls it for a four, only his second from 77 balls faced so far.

That also raises the 50-run stand for the third wicket from 149 balls.

Kohli then picks a single before Pujara clips the last ball through midwicket for two runs.

A desperate Australia bring back the experienced Starc as they aim for a breakthrough.

The first two balls are down the leg side before Kohli guides the third past the gully fielder for two runs.

The plan to use Head is not working for Australia. He again drops short in the nexdt over as Kohli pulls it over midwicket for a four as the lead crosses the 150-run mark.

India are 140 for two in 52 overs, with Kohli on 27 from 85 balls and Pujara on 40 from 107 balls.

India are 115 for two in 46 overs, at the last drinks break, with an overall lead of 130 runs.

Kohli is happy to bat in the Pujara mode and not try anything fancy with the duo putting on 39 runs from nearly 22 overs for the third wicket at under two runs per over.

Kohli clips Lyon through the gap on the leg side to deep midwicket for one. Pujara rocks back and hits Lyon through the covers for three runs as he looks to get along with things.

Kohli is on 19 from 76 balls, for a strike rate of 25, his lowest strike in Tests for a score of 10 or more.

Pujara slaps a full delivery from Cummins straight down the ground and comes back for the second.

The India No. 3 then glances a full delivery on the pads fine on the leg side for a four.

12:45  Pujara, Kohli build India’s lead:  

Pujara comes down the track to Lyon and defends the ball with the bat. The Australians appeal for the leg before wicket and umpire Nigel Llong is happy to give it out, considering that there was no shot offered.

Pujara takes the review and he survives as the ball is going on to bounce over the stumps.

So the DRS saves Pujara for the second time in this innings, leaving Australia frustrated.

Pujara is beaten next ball as Lyon gets one to go quicker and straight on. He again chips down the track a long way and uses his pads to block the ball outside off-stump.

This is turning out to be an interesting contest between Lyon and Pujara.

Infact, Mark Waugh on commentary wants Australia to have a man placed close in on the off-side, he believes if not leg before the close in fielder can atleast run out Pujara as he is coming down the track a long way.

Kohli showing a lot of restraint and has managed just 15 runs from 54 balls, nearly the same strike rate as Pujara, who has 17 from 72 balls.

India want to ensure that they don’t lose any more wickets in the final session and slowly but gradually build the lead.

Australia will be happy not giving anything away, building up the pressure with some tight bowling. A wicket or two, and Australia will hold the upperhand.

Pujara continues to run down to Lyon and every time he uses his pads to defend, Australia go up in appeal.

A rare loose delivery from Lyon as he drops short and Pujara pulls it through square leg for a four.

A desperate Lyon switches to round the wicket to bring the LBW into play and this time Pujara defends with a straight bat.

Pujara comes down the track to Lyon and again pads it up before he chips down to the next ball and clips it through midwicket for one and Kohli watchfully defends the rest of the over.

Pacer Pat Cummins into the attack as he replaces Hazlewood. Pujara takes a quick run on the off-side as Kohli calls him over.

The India captain then flicks a full delivery through midwicket for three runs to take his team past the 100-run mark, in the 37th over.

India are sitting pretty on 101 for two, having extended their lead to 116 runs.

The rock solid Pujara has started off cautiously to score 16 from 62 balls, while Kohli has made 12 from 40 balls.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon kicks off proceedings with the ball after the tea break.

Cheteshwar Pujara gets going with a single from the first ball before Virat Kohli picks one from the fourth ball.

Pacer Josh Hazlewood from the other end. He nearly scalps Kohli with a beauty, getting some extra bounce and movement, to beat the India captain all ens.

Kohli then gets off strike with one on the off-side from the third ball.

In the next over, Kohli looks to drive Lyon against the spin through the off-side but is beaten as the ball goes in through the gap between bat and pad.

He then turns the next ball on the leg side before Pujara comes down the track but can only block it with the pads after getting beaten in the flight.

Hazlewood trying hard as he goes for the full incoming delivery but slips it down as Kohli clips it through square leg for a four.

12:12  1st Test: India 86-2 at tea on Day 3; lead by 101:  

Opener KL Rahul stroked a fluent 44 to help India build their lead on the rain-hit Day 3 of the first Test against Australia in Adelaide on Saturday.

India were sitting pretty on 86 for two in 29 overs at the tea interval, having extended their lead to 101 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara was unbeaten on 11, while Virat Kohli was on two.

Murali Vijay perished cheaply for the second time in the game as he was caught at second slip off Mitchell Starc for 18.

Rahul cut loose after a watchful start, as he hit three fours and a six in his 67-ball 44, to give India a good start, before Josh Hazlewood had him caught behind.

Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 235 before lunch, leaving India with a 15-run first innings lea

Australia resumed on 191 for seven and lost their last three wickets for the addition of 44 runs.

Mohammed Shami was on a hat-trick after claiming the final two wickets of batsman Travis Head (72) and number 11 Josh Hazlewood (0) in successive balls at the end of a rain-interrupted session.

Mitchell Starc was earlier caught behind off the bowling of paceman Jasprit Bumrah, who finished with his team’s best figures of 3-47.

11:20  Rahul out for 44; India lose both openers:  

Lyon chips down the track and looks to clip Lyon through the off-side but ends up playing it uppishly which falls wide of the fielder at midwicket.

Rahul then plays the reverse sweep against to good effect for three runs before Pujara again comes down the track and takes a single.

Starc drops short and also offers some width as Pujara crashes it through point for a four.

A good over from Lyon as Rahul and Pujara pick a single each to keep the scoreboard ticking along.

Hazlewood comes back into the attack, replacing Starc and he starts his new with a maiden over, his fifth from a total of seven overs.

Lyon is bowling on a good line and he is rewarded with the key wicket of Pujara, who plays down the wrong line and is given out caught behind.

He instantly decides to review the decision and rightly so as there is nothing on the Hotspot or the Snicko.

The umpire has to overturn his decision as Pujara, on eight, survives a close shout.

But Australia strike from the other end. Rahul goes for the big drive through the off-side off Hazlewood but gets a nick this time and is caught behind after scoring 44 from 67 balls.

New batsman Virat Kohli gets a freebie first up, full delivery on the pads, as he attempts to glance it fine and misses but ends up with four leg byes.

Kohli then plays a loose shot, looking to play away from his body without any footwork and is beaten.

10:53  Vijay out for 18, India lose 1st wicket:  

Rahul and Vijay pick Lyon for a single each before the former survives a close shout for LBW with the impact just outside the line as Australia decide against the review.

Rahul (32) has another close shave as he flicks Lyon fine but Finch at leg slip puts down a tough chance to his left.

Starc comes back as Australia look for a breakthrough to check India’s charge. Rahul plays a foul shot as he tries to swat a short ball directed at his body and is beaten.

Lyon beats Rahul with a full delivery which he tries to drive but is beaten before he reverse sweeps the next ball for three runs followed by two singles as the scoreboard keeps ticking.

Starc gives Australia some relief as he breaks the opening stand. He claims the wicket of Vijay, who falls in a similar fashion to his first innings dismissal. He tries to drive a wide delivery away from his body without any footwork and gets the edge which is caught at second slip.

Vijay made just 18 in the 63-run stand for the opening wicket with Rahul.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who hit a century in the first innings, gets off the mark with a single from the last ball.

10:26  Openers Rahul, Vijay give India a good start:  

Rahul’s positive approach has helped India score at a good rate in the last few overs after they had started off slowly.

Spin introduced as Nathan Lyon comes into the attack, to bowl the 14th over.

He gets turn off the very first ball as Vijay is hit on the pads before he attempts the paddle sweep and misses but gets two leg byes.

Lyon then flights it right up and gets turn as Vijay is hit on the pads trying to defend but the confident LBW appeal is turned down.

He again paddle sweeps the last ball for two runs.

Rahul in IPL mode now. A full wide delivery from Cummins is hammered over the off-side region and it goes all the way for a six. What a shot!

Cummins comes back well with a quick rising delivery as Rahul does well to get out of the line.

Cummins then overpitches as Rahul hammers it through the covers for a four to take his score to 30.

That also raises the 50-run stand for the opening wicket between Rahul and Vijay, the first between the pair away from home.

India have got off to a good start, racing to 51 for no loss in 15 overs, to stretch their lead to 66 runs.

After a watchful start, Rahul has been aggressive against the new ball, hitting 31 from 43 balls, while Vijay has been steady on 14 from 47 balls.

10:10   India off to a good start:  

The first bowling change for Australia as Pat Cummins replaces Starc. Rahul defends the first four balls before he drives the fifth uppishly through the covers for three runs as the fielder slides and keeps it inside the ropes. That was an aggressive shot from the India opener as he looked keen to break free after a watchful start.

In the next over, Rahul turns Hazlewood on the leg side for one, the first run the pacer concedes after four maiden overs in a row.

Hazlewood gets a short of length delivery to come in sharply to Vijay, who does well to keep it down on the off-side.

Vijay edges the next ball as it goes along the ground past the slips for three runs.

Rahul shows intent as he plays the lofted shot over the off-side against Hazlewood’s length delivery for a four as India reach 19 for no loss in 10 overs.

Cummins bowls a good inswinger to Vijay who gets it off the inside half of the bat for a single on the leg side.

Rahul turns the fourth ball square on the leg side for two runs before the opener attempts another lofted shot down the ground but is beaten.

Cummins then drops short as Rahul goes for the upper cut and gets it over the slip cordon for a four.

Hazlewood continues as he strikes Rahul on the pads but the leg before appeal is turned down. Rahul then goes hard at a full wide delivery as he gets a thick inside edge for two runs on the leg side.

A few balls later, he plays a nicely timed drive through the covers for three runs, opting to lean in the drive rather than going hard at it.

The last ball is a wide half-volley as Vijay comes forward and crashes it through the covers for three more runs.

Hazlewood didn’t concede a single run in his first four overs but has since given away 17 runs from his two overs.

India are off to a good start, having reached 35 for no loss in 12 overs, to stretcher their lead to 50 runs.

Australia’s opening bowlers have not posed any threat with the new ball so far with the two Indian batsmen happy to bide their time as they look to get their eye in.

Hazlewood goes full and gets the ball to jag in sharply as Vijay, who is tentative to come forward, is hit on the pads but he survives the leg before shout with the ball bouncing over the leg stump.

The last ball goes straight on as Vijay goes for the drive and is beaten as Hazlewood bowls his third maiden over in a row.

Rahul is surprised by a full toss from Starc which he gently blocks on the off-side. He then bowls one down the leg side as Rahul misses the glance but it brushes the pads and goes fine for four leg byes.

Hazlewood bowls a good inswinger as Vijay is hit on the pads but the leg before appeal is turned down.

The pacer has bowled in the right areas to keep things tight and has started off with four maiden overs in a row.

India content to bat with caution, having made just eight runs from the first eight overs.

09:34  India off to a cautious start:  

Mitchell Starc opens the bowling for Australia and facing him is KL Rahul. The first ball slants across the right-hander who offers no shot and then blocks the next.

Rahul gets off the mark with a single on the leg side to get off the mark.

Starc then greets Vijay with a quick bouncer which he fends on the leg side and then comes forward to defend the next, which is fuller and does the same to the last ball.

Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. Rahul blocks the first ball and offers no shot to the remaining five deliveries as he aims to get his eye in.

In the next over, Vijay leans forward and drives the full delivery through the covers for two runs to get off the mark and takes a single from the last ball.

Hazlewood sends another maiden over, this time to Vijay as India make a cautious start to their second innings.

The players are walking out to the middle to resume the post-lunch session following the rain delay.

Check out the updated session timings:

Session 2: 2:15-4:25pm local time (9.15am to 11.25 IST)

Session 3: 4:45-6:30pm

Play can be extended by up to 30mins to get the 61 overs in.

09:05  Rain stops play; Aus bowled out for 235:  

Rain has delayed the start of the post-lunch session on Day 3 of the first Test in Adelaide on Saturday.

India will bat in their second innings after bowling out Australia for 235, which helped them take a 15-run first innings lead.

Play is scheduled to start at 2.15pm local time which is 9.15am IST, if there is no further rain.

Rain continues to play spoilsport as the start of India’s second innings has been delayed because of rain, forcing the umpires to call for lunch on Day 3.

Australia were bowled out for 235 in their first innings with Travis Head top scoring with 72, while Nathan Lyon contributed with a vital 24 not out at the end to cut down India’s lead to just 15 runs.

In the rain-hit morning session, only 10.4 overs were possible in which Australia scored 44 runs, while losing their last three wickets.

The post-lunch session will begin at 1.52pm local time (8.52am IST) if there is no further rain.

08:05  Australia bowled out for 235, India take 15-run lead:  

Spin introduced for the first time on a rain-hit third day as Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the bowl the 98th over of the innings.

Lyon keeps the runs coming as he sweeps Ashwin through the vacant fine leg region for a four and two balls later clips it on the leg side for one.

A single each to Head and Lyon off the last two balls as seven come from the over.

Double change for India as Mohammed Shami comes into the attack. He starts with a short ball which Lyon pulls powerfully over the square leg for as six to bring the deficit down under 20.

He clips the next ball to square leg for a single as he takes his score to 24 from 28 balls to accelerate the scoring for the Aussies.

Shami dents Australia’s hopes of taking the lead as he strikes with the key wicket of Head, who pokes at a wide one and is caught behind for 72.

Shami strikes again off the very next delivery as left-hander Josh Hazlewood perishes in similar fashion, caught behind for a duck.

Australia are bowled out for 235 in 98.4 overs in their first innings as India take a slender 15-run first innings lead.

A vital hand from Lyon with the bat as he stroked an unbeaten 24 from 28 balls, to cut down India’s lead.

Ravichandran Ashwin (3-57) and Jasprit Bumrah (3-47) picked up three wickets each, while Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami claimed two wickets each.

Bumrah beats Lyon with a ripper, short outside off-stump and moving away as the right-hander can’t resist a poke.

He again flirts with the next ball which moves away only to get the edge but it goes through the vacant third slip region for a four.

And immediately captain Virat Kohli realises his mistake and calls in a fielder at third slip.

The last ball is a quick yorker as Lyon is hit on the toes but the confident shout for leg before is turned down as the batsman had got a clear inside edge.

Head flicks Ishant off his pads square on the leg side for a couple before he takes a single two balls later.

Lyon then is tempted to go for the drive as Ishant bowls it in the channel just outside the off-stump as the right-hander is beaten before he ducks under the bouncer.

Meanwhile, it has again started to drizzle at the Adelaide Oval but the umpires are happy to continue play at the moment.

Head turns Bumrah to behind square on the leg side for a single before Lyon ducks under a bouncer.

He does well to drive the last ball straight down the ground past mid-off for three runs to keep the scoreboard ticking.

India’s pacers trying quite a few bouncers to Lyon, who is happy to just let it go. It is the full deliveries though, which are giving him a few problems. Ishant beats him with a cracking delivery, short of good length and moving away as Lyon pokes and is beaten.

He clips the last ball to deep square leg for a single which helps him keep strike.

Play resumes at Adelaide Oval, with India needing two wickets to end Australia’s first innings.

Bumrah resumes proceedings after the resumption following rain to complete his unfinished over. Nathan Lyon is beaten first ball before he blocks the next ball.

Ishant Sharma from the other end. Travis Head picks a single on the leg side to get Lyon on strike for the third ball.

Lyon drives the fourth ball through the covers for three runs as the ball slows up near the boundary.

The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off and the umpires havea announced that play will resume at 12.30pm local time which is 7.30am IST.

“If there is no further rain then play will resume at 12:30pm local time (18 minutes away), with lunch scheduled for 1:30pm,” tweets Cricket Australia.

06:58  Australia lose 8th wicket before rain stops play:  

Bumrah gets the first breakthrough for India on Day 3 with the wicket of Starc, who is caught behind for 15.

The left-hander looks to drive a full wide delivery which moves away enough to take the edge and is caught behind by wicketkeeper Pant.

Along with Starc, all the other players are also forced to leave the field as it starts to rain again at the Adelaide Oval.

Australis’ hopes of taking the lead rest on Head, who is unbeaten on 66 from 154 balls. They have been reduced to 204 for eight, trailing India by 46 runs with two wickets left.

06:30  Head, Starc take Australia past 200:  

05:42  Rain delays start of Day 3 in Adelaide:  

It has stopped raining at the Adelaide Oval and the sun is breaking through, tweets Cricket Australia.

The groundstaff have started to take the covers off.

The umpires are expected to inspect the ground at 10.45am (0545am IST) local time and made a decision on when play will start.

05:26  Rain delays start of Day 3 in Adelaide:  

Welcome to the coverage of Day 3 of the first Test between Australia and India in Adelaide on Saturday.

It is raining at the Adelaide Oval and start of play is set to be delayed.