Skipper Kohli leads India's batting charge

Adelaide, Dec 11: A ton from Virat Kohli (115), his seventh, and three 50s from Cheteshwar Pujara (73), Ajinkya Rahane (62) and Murali Vijay (53) helped India coast to 369 for five at the end of the third day of the first Test at the Adelaide Oval here Thursday. Australia earlier declared their first innings at the overnight score of 517 for seven. Indian stand-in skipper Virat and Co. rose to the challenge and gave a perfect reply to Australia, who decided to make full use of the early morning conditions by having a crack at the young Indian batting line-up. Rohit Sharma (batting 33) and Wriddhiman Saha (batting 1) were at the crease at the close of the third day's play. The visitors are still trailing by 148 runs in their first innings. Apart from Kohli, several Indian batsmen did not make most of their good starts and after scoring fifties they failed to notch up a big score. Kohli first shared an 81-run partnership for the second wicket with Pujara before stitching together another crucial 101-run stand with Rahane. Rohit Sharma too supported the Delhi batsman well and the duo forged a 74-run partnership for the fifth wicket.