India vs Australia, 3rd Test Day 1: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli take India to 215/2 at Stumps

With the series levelled at 1-1, the much anticipated Boxing Day Test between India and Australia began amid a full house at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday. With the Indian side losing the Perth Test by 146 runs, the pressure was on the visitors to bounce back at MCG. (Source: AP)

With openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay not performing with the bat, India replaced them with the pair of Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari. The latter was dismissed early on for 4. (Source: AP)

Mayank Agarwal carried on in his debut game, stitching a good partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara and went on to score his maiden half century. (Source: AP)

Australia seamer Pat Cummins dismissed Agarwal for 76 with a short delivery on the leg side, which the batsman nudged to the keeper behind the stumps, right at the stroke at Tea. (Source: AP)

Mayank Agarwal scored 76 runs on the debut, missing the chance to score a ton by just 24 runs. (Source: AP)

Skipper Virat Kohli joined Cheteshwar Pujara in the final session, as the duo built another strong partnership. (Source: AP)

Cheteshwar Pujara scored his 21st half century on the first day and he finished the day unbeaten on 68. (Source: BCCI/Twitter)

Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara ensured that they see off the final 10 overs from Aussie seamers with the new ball without losing a wicket. India reached 215/2 at Stumps on Day 1 (Source: BCCI/Twitter)