India's Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara along with skipper Virat Kohli took the hosts to 59/2 at lunch in their first innings on Day 3 of the opening clash against England in Chennai. Pujara is playing on 20, while his partner Kohli is on 4 as the hosts are still 513 runs behind England's total.
Kohli, who returns to action after spending some time with family, will be eager to kick-off the new year on a commanding note.
If the Indian skipper completes a hundred in the upcoming four-match series, the Indian skipper will surpass Australia great Ricky Ponting in the list of captains with most tons. Both Kohli and Ponting currently share the top honours with 41 centuries each.
The day began with the visitors adding another 23 runs to their overnight score, as England piled a gigantic 578 in their first innings. Jasprit Bumrah and R Ashwin combined to pick the remaining two batsmen, as both the bowlers finished the innings with three wickets each.
In response to England, the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill couldn't do much as both the batsmen were removed early by Jofra Archer. Rohit was dismissed on 6, while Gill, who looked to be in fine touch, lost his wicket at 29.
Brief Scores:
England 1st Innings: 578 all out in 190.1 overs (Joe Root, 218, Dominic Sibley 87, Ben Stokes 82; Jasprit Bumrah 3/84, R Ashwin 3/146, Ishant Sharma 2/52).
India 1st Innings: 59/2 in 14 overs (Shubman Gill 29 and Chetshwar Pujara 20 batting, Jofra Archer 2/25).
