Australia vs India, Tea Report
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Mayank Agarwal started the post Lunch session on a high when he drove Josh Hazlewood on the first ball through to the covers. However, Pujara and Agarwal had to bat out some quiet overs as Australia kept a tight lid on the proceedings for three overs. Meanwhile, Mayank Agarwal showed the patience as the runs came at a snail’s pace.

The debutant who impressed in the opening session continued from where he had left. The right-hander brought up his maiden International fifty as batted at the top of his game. Furthermore, he became the second Indian batsman to score 50+ on his Test debut while batting on Australia soil.

Australia vs India 2018, Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal has scored a fine fifty on debut. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Interestingly, Mayank Agarwal took the attack against the best bowler in the series, Nathan Lyon. Agarwal made good use of his feet to get to the pitch of the ball to unsettle Lyon.

However, Australia got the better of Mayank Agarwal at the stroke of Tea. Pat Cummins banged it short towards the leg side and Agarwal got a bit of glove to Tim Paine. The Karnataka batsman made 76 and would be proud of his performance in his maiden appearance in the Indian whites. However, he would have been disappointed to get out at the wrong time just before the Tea break.

Pat Cummins, Hanuma Vihari
Pat Cummins celebrates Hanuma Vihari wicket. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara batted with gumption. Pujara showed the right resistance and batted at the top of his game. Pujara gave good support to Agarwal and was able to punish the bad balls by the Australian bowlers.

On the other hand, Pat Cummins bowled with fire once again. Cummins was right on the money with his short deliveries and looked the most threatening Australian bowler.

India added 66 runs in the second session of the opening day of the Boxing Day Test.

Brief Scores: India 123-2, Mayank Agarwal 76 (161), Pat Cummins: 2-24.

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