Watch: Marnus Labuschagne throws his wicket away as Virat Kohli takes a superb catch

Australia's No. 3 batter Marnus Labuschagne missed out on another opportunity to get into the three-figure mark as he was dismissed for a well-made 72 on the first day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

As the partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith was looking threatening, Washington Sundar provided his team the big wicket. It was a good length ball for Sundar as Labuschagne tried to put away over mid-off after coming down the track.

However, he didn't get the required height and Virat Kohli took a nice catch at mid-off above his head with a perfect jump. Labuschagne clearly looked disappointed and threw his bat in the air in disgust.

Watch: Virat Kohli booed after denying Steve Smith a boundary as MCG crowd turns hostile

Watch: Marnus Labuschagne throws his wicket away as Virat Kohli takes a stunner

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Marnus Labuschagne scored 72 off 145 balls and struck 7 fours during his knock. He looked in good touch during this innings and formed crucial partnerships with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith.

It was a huge wicket for India as it broke a solid stand of 83 runs between Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Both the batters were looking dangerous at the crease and looking to take the game away from Australia.

Marnus Labuschagne gives away another start

Marnus Labuschagne has had a no. of good starts recently but failed to convert them into big ones. The star Australian batter is having a difficult Border-Gavaskar Trophy so far with two fifties in six Test innings.

Apart from his 64 in Adelaide, he has struggled to score runs. Marnus Labuschagne has scored 154 runs in six Test innings so far at an average of 25.66. There have been Labuschagne's criticism from various aspects regarding his form.

A few days ago, former Australia opener David Warner had slammed Labuschagne for giving his wicket away despite being a set batter. Warner made these comments after Labuschagne was out for 64 in Adelaide.

Sam Konstas lights up the MCG

Meanwhile, Australia had a strong start after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Debutant Sam Konstas smashed the ball all around the ground to put the hosts ahead.

Konstas faced a testing spell from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj earlier in the innings but decided to take them on with the unorthodox shots.

The 19-year-old played scoops and reverse scoops to put Bumrah under pressure. Bumrah went for 38 runs in his first six overs and was highly expensive. He didn't even pick up any wicket with the new ball which was a surprise.

Konstas batted freely and looked to take the game on. He was unfazed by the occasion and fearless in his batting display. The right-hander showed shades of brilliance in his whirlwind knock to put the visitors on the back foot straight away.

Australia finished the day on 311-6 as India clawed their way back into the game in the final session. Steve Smith was still batting on 68 off 111 balls with skipper Pat Cummins batting along side him.