Sydney, Jan 3: India, on day 1, finished with 303 runs for 4 wickets and is on top with valuable contributions by Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored the third hundred of the series and a classy 77 by Mayank Aggarwal against Australia here on Thursday.
Hanuma Vihari also scored a good 39 not out knock. The fifth-wicket pair shared an unbeaten 75-run stand between them as India concluded the opening day on top in Sydney.
Post tea, Mitchell Starc dismissed Ajinkya Rahane as he bowled a bouncer that took a top-edge off Rahane's bat and wicket-keeper Tim Paine made no mistake. Rahane departs for 18. India were at 228/4 in 70.2 overs.
Indian skipper, Virat Kohli also departed for 23 runs, which brought an end to the 54-run partnership. Josh Hazlewood took his second wicket.
India won the toss and elected to bat. Opener K L Rahul's poor form continued here too after losing his wicket to Hazlewood in the third ball of the very 2nd over after being caught off at first slip by Marsh.
Rahul's 9 came off in 6 balls with 2 fours.
After Rahul's departure Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara for the second wicket partnership scored 59 runs.
However, Pujara (16) and Mayank (42) were at the crease when Lunch was declared.
Australian fast bowlers kept Pujara and Agarwal on their toes, but a dogged effort with the bat has ensured that India go into the break fairly happy after the early wicket.
For Australia Hazlewood gave an early breakthrough by taking wicket of Rahul.
Leading 2-1 in the four-match series, India will be looking to make it 3-1 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).