Cheteshwar Pujara scored his third century of the series as India cruised to 303/4 on Day 1 of the fourth Test against Australia in Sydney.
The Indian No 3 ended the day unbeaten on 130 after another masterful innings, with Hanuma Vihari, restored to No 6 after opening in Melbourne, joining Pujara for an unbroken 75-run stand.
Mayank Agarwal got India off to a good start with an attacking 77, though his opening partner, KL Rahul, fell cheaply again, scoring just nine,
Agarwal and Pujara then put on a 116-run stand before the opener fell to Nathan Lyon.
Pujara shared another half-century partnership with Virat Kohli before the Indian captain was strangled down the leg side by Josh Hazelwood for 23.
India are aiming for their maiden Test series win in Australia after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
The New Year’s Test presents Virat Kohli with an opportunity to become the first Indian captain to clinch a Test series win Down Under. The visitors have already secured an unassailable 2-1 lead but insist they will only aim for victory in the fourth Test.
Both India and Australia have made changes to their team, with India bringing in left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for injured pacer Ishant Sharma and recalling KL Rahul for Rohit Sharma, who is in Mumbai for the birth of his child.
Australia dropped vice-captain Mitchell Marsh and opener Aaron Finch, bringing in Marnus Labuschagne and Peter Handscomb. Labuschagne will bat at 3, with Usman Khawaja expected to open alongside Marcus Harris.
The wicket in Sydney traditionally helps spinners but the new surface this time has proven to be a batting beauty in domestic cricket.
Catch all the live updates from the fourth Test below.
