Kohli, Pujara put India on top

A 170-run stand between century-maker Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Virat Kohli put India in a dominant position in the third Test Thursday as Australia's openers survived half a dozen nervy overs before the close.

Dogged Pujara stroked 106 and Kohli 82 before they both fell soon after lunch on what until then had been a lifeless Melbourne pitch.

Rohit Sharma was not out 63 after notching his 10th Test half-century when Kohli called a halt to the innings late in the day at 443 for seven as India go in search of a crucial 2-1 lead in the four-Test series.

That gave the tourists' attack six overs before stumps to target Australian openers Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch, who battled through to be eight without loss.

SCORES IN BRIEF

INDIA: First innings 443 for 7 decl (Agarwal 76, Pujara 106, Kohli 82, Rahane 34, Sharma 63 not out, Pant 39; Starc 2-87, Cummins 3-72)

AUSTRALIA: First innings 8 for no loss.