INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Melbourne: Stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane rode his luck to hit a gritty unbeaten century as India built an ominous 82-run lead over
Australia on day two to take a stranglehold on the second Test in Melbourne on Sunday.It was a determined and crucial knock against a
world-class attack by the mild-mannered 32-year-old, who assumed the captaincy from Virat Kohli after he returned home for the birth of his
Ravindra Jadeja was not out 40.The hosts took just four wickets during a frustrating day in the field as the match began to slip away with
capitalise on some of the chances we created to finish in a better position.While Rahane was the hero, it was a gutsy Indian team
performance, with three 50-plus wicket partnerships to help silence their critics after being skittled for their all-time low of 36 last
Ajinkya played, it was such a magnificent knock to watch, the way he saw off the tough periods and the loose balls he was making sure he put
having weathered 11 overs Saturday when they lost Mayank Agarwal for a duck to Starc.In an action-packed morning, the Australian attack
crease and -- first with Hanuma Vihari, then Rishabh Pant and finally Jadeja -- he built half-century stands to put India in a strong
position.He brought up his 12th Test ton in his 67th game, and his second in Melbourne, with a four off Cummins, but he enjoyed some good
fortune.Australia removed first slip during Starc's first spell in the final session and lived to regret it with Rahane getting an edge on
57 that would almost certainly have been caught if the fielder was there.He had a huge let-off on 73 when he was dropped at second slip by
after missing the first Test injured, ably supported Rahane after Vihari fell for 21 attempting to sweep Nathan Lyon, with Smith taking the
catch.That brought the exuberant Pant to the crease
Preferred to Wriddhiman Saha as wicketkeeper, he scored a breezy 29 before becoming Starc's 250th Test victim, caught by Tim Paine for his
150th dismissal.India were reduced to 64 for three before lunch after Cummins caused all sorts of problems.He signalled his intent with the
first ball of the day, which zipped past Pujara's bat
Gill, who added 17 to his overnight score, got a nick and Paine took the catch
