Tim Paine uses IPL as a bait to distract Rohit Sharma

So the action-less first day of the ongoing third Test at the MCG was definitely not the precursor of how the rest of the game would unfold. Indian batters made the hosts toil hard on day one as players from both the sides seemed to have moved on from the ugly scenes in the last Test and focussed just on the battle between the bat and ball. The Perth Test was marred by verbal duels between captains Virat Kohli and Tim Paine.

And while it was Kohli who started it all in the previous game, it is his Australian counterpart who has made sure that the banters go on. The Australia wicketkeeper welcomed newcomer Rohit Sharma on the crease with a cheeky remark. After toiling hard for over two sessions,  Australia finally managed to see the backs of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat. And when Rohit too looked solid from the first ball, Paine tried his best to unsettle the right-hander.

The Australian skipper who registered his first win as Test captain in the last game, hilariously challenged Rohit to go for a six. His comment was caught on the stump mic as the commentators could not hide their laughter. Paine talking to Aaron Finch who was at short-leg said: “Finch, you played for too many IPL teams”

“It’s always been a toss up for me between the RR and MI, who I support.

If Rohit hits a six here I’m changing to Mumbai,” he said

Here is a clip of that incident:

India on top:

Meanwhile, a century from Cheteshwar Pujara and fifties from Virat Kohli and debutant Mayank Agarwal have put India on top in Melbourne. Resuming the day on 215 for 2, Pujara and Kohli added 62 runs in the wicketless first session. In the very first session, Pujara completed his century while Kohli reached fifty. At lunch, India were 277 for 2.

Australia finally managed to break the stand when Kohli hit a short delivery from Mitchell Starc straight to Aaron Finch at third man. A little later, Pat Cummins’ delivery remained low and breached Pujara’s defence. Kohli was out for 82 while Pujara scored 106 to put India on top.

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