4th Test: KL Rahul, Virat Kohli tons take India to 342/5 on Day 3 against Oz

Live updates from Day 3 of the fourth Test match between India and Australia being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Over 110 || Score 332/5 

Third Day of the fourth and final Test belonged to India, courtesy to two outstanding tons by Indian opener KL Rahul (110) and skipper Virat Kohli (140*). If Rahul smashed his maiden Test ton, after a forgettable Test debut, then, Kohli went on to score his fourth Test ton in the series, and in doing so, surpassed Rahul Dravid as the leading Indian scorer in Border-Gavaskar Trophy. At one point, it seemed as if  India were heading towards another batting collapse, when Shane Watson scalped Rahane and Raina in two consecutive balls. But wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha and Kohli made sure that India won't lose any further wickets. India were 342 for 5 at stumps with Kohli (140) and Saha (14) still unbeaten at the crease. But India are still trailing by 230 runs.        

Over 110 || Score 332/5 

Australia set an attacking field for the new man Saha. So far the wicket-keeper batsman has managed to play with the straight bat. He is playing cautiously and that is what he exactly needs to do at the moment. Mitchell Starc and Shane Watson are bowling in tandem for the home side. But there is not one stopping the India skipper, who is collecting boundaries at regular intervals. Five more overs left in the day.   

Over 105 || Score 307/5

After losing two wickets in quick succession, Wriddhiman Saha joins Kohli in the middle. It's a big Test for the wicket-keeper batsman, as India need another big partnership here. India are still trailing by 265 runs. After Dhoni's Test retirement, he is the number one keeper-batsman in India. Can he justify this tag? On the other end, Kohli is scoring runs quite easily.        

Over 100 || Score 292/5

Double breakthrough for Australia as Watson picks two in two. Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina back in the hut. First Rahane goes for a pull, misses the line completely and umpire raises his finger. Next ball, Raina nicks the ball straight to the wicketkeeper. Big Blows for India. Is another batting batting collapse on the cards? You never know, when India and West Indies are batting, anything is possible.         

Over 97 || Score 282/3

India skipper Virat Kohli scores his fourth Test hundred of the series. He plays Starc down the ground for a double and celebrates another ton in the series. What a batsman! One of the finest batsmen in world cricket. He uses 162 balls to reach the mark, with the help of 17 boundaries.     

Over 92 || Score 271/3

Even after losing his partner in KL Rahul, Virat Kohli is scoring runs at a rapid pace. He is not leaving a single opportunity to collect a boundary. After completing his fifty, he has quickly moved to 90's. Rahane on the other end is looking a bit shaky in the middle at the moment.   

Over 88 || Score 250/3

KL Rahul Out! Sheer loss of concentration costs him his wicket. Short ball by Starc, outside off, Rahul goes for a pull, finds top edge of his bat and bowler takes a neat catch in the end. In-form Ajinkya Rahane walks in top bat alongside skipper Kohli. Meanwhile, Kohli collects three boundaries in an over off Ryan Harris as India cross the 200-run mark.      

Over 86 || Score 234/2

Rahul has done all the hard work. Now he has to think of playing a long knock from here on. Good opportunity for the youngster to hog the limelight by scoring big. It's time for him to enhance his reputation further and cement his place in the side.     

Over 85 || Score 234/2

Rahul hits his maiden Test ton. He pushes Starc towards gully region to collect a boundary and raises his bat in the air. What a knock by the young chap! He uses 253 balls to reach the landmark, laces with 11 boundaries and a six. After a few balls, Rahul celebrates his ton with another boundary, this time towards mid-wikcet. Lokesh Rahul and captain Virat Kohli are batting on 106 and 67 respectively. India still trail by 338 runs with eight wickets remaining in their first innings.   

Over 80 || Score 203/2

New ball has been taken. Meanwhile, Lokesh has reached to his 90's. Nervous moments for the young and talented lad, as he has started playing odd shots. Harris has been given the new ball, as he is well known for breaking partnerships. Kohli purple patch with the bat continues as he completes his fifty. India too have crossed the 200-run mark.      

Over 78 || Score 199/2

Both the batsmen -- Kohli and Rahul -- have started scoring runs more freely now. They are charging Watson and offie Lyon at the moment. In the 78th over, Rahul launches Lyon for a maximum over deep mid-wicket. A rare sight to watch from the rookie, at least in this match. And with that Kohli-Rahul cross the 100-run partnership for the third wicket.    

Over 72 || Score 171/2

After the lunch break Lokesh Rahul and Virat Kohli are looking more solid. There is nothing in the pitch for the pacers and Indian batsmen too are enjoying their batting on this flat wicket. After a forgettable Test debut by Lokesh, the youngster is showing his class in the second. Kohli is unbeaten on 37, whereas, Lokesh is playing on 78. At the moment skipper Steven Smith himself is rolling his arms. And he is getting a fair bit of turn from the wicket. Can he break this dangerous looking partnership?        

Till Lunch break

Rookie batsman Lokesh Rahul struck his maiden half century as India fought hard to reach 122 for two at lunch on the third day of their fourth and final cricket Test against Australia.

At the break, opener Rahul (50 batting off 164 balls) and skipper Virat Kohli (16 batting) were at the crease as the visitors still trail by 450 runs in their first innings. Australia had declared their first innings at 572/7.