Ind vs Aus: Australian openers frustrate India in 3rd Test

NEW DELHI: A century opening partnership between David Warner and Ed Cowan placed Australia comfortably at 109/0 at lunch on the second day of the third Test against India at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Friday. This is the third century opening partnership between Warner and Cowan. Warner did the bulk of the scoring in the opening stand, hit some fine shots and wasn't afraid to use his feet against the Indian spinners and reached his seventh half-century, his second against India. Warner and Cowan justified their captain Michael Clarke's decision to bat first as Australia got off to quiet but confident start. India have replaced Harbhajan Singh with Pragyan Ojha and Shikhar Dhawan makes his Test debut. Australia have brought in Brad Haddin in place of the injured Matthew Wade, Steve Smith replaces Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell makes way for Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc comes in the place of James Pattinson. After winning the toss, Clarke said that hopefully they have learnt from their mistakes and emphasizes on the importance of making runs in the first innings. MS Dhoni reckoned that it was not a bad toss to lose as there will be some moisture in the wicket and they would look to exploit it. Traditionally, the wicket at the PCA Stadium is considered to be the fastest in the country which provides good bounce and movement to the bowlers. But it has also assisted the spinners in the past. One can call it a sporting wicket as the batsmen will also enjoy the ball coming onto the bat. Ravi Shastri in his pitch report said that the wicket is hard and dry but due to the rain on Day 1, there will be some moisture in it. Not a single ball could be bowled on the first day of the Test due to inclement weather and incessant rain. India, 2-0 up in the four-match series, will be looking to to drive home the advantage and deliver the knockout punch with the Aussies still busy managing the fallout from 'Home-workGate', the time is right for India to hit hard and seal the series. The Indian team has been quietly watching the drama unfold in the Australian camp, but it is unlikely that skipper Dhoni and his men will take the opposition lightly, no matter how depleted they might be. If India win in Mohali, they will record three straight Test victories in a series against Australia for the first time. If the hosts win the Test, or even if it ends in a draw, India will accomplish a hat-trick of series wins over Australia in India, having won 2-0 in 2008-09 and 2010-11. Teams: India: MS Dhoni (Capt.), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma. Australia: Michael Clarke (Capt.), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon.