Ind vs Aus Test | Rohit Sharma closing in on ton as India reach 151/3 at lunch

At the break, captain Rohit Sharma was batting on 85 off 142 balls with 12 boundaries and two sixes to his credit

Skipper Rohit Sharma showed a lot of composure to inch towards his ninth Test hundred with India reaching 151 for 3 at lunch against Australia on the second day of the opening Test, in Nagpur on February 10.

At the break, Rohit was batting on 85 off 142 balls with 12 boundaries and two sixes to his credit. Virat Kohli (12 batting), giving him company, also looked in ominous touch as the Australian bowling didn't look threatening despite getting a couple of wickets — Ravichandran Ashwin (23) and Cheteshwar Pujara (7) — during the session.

The idea will be to bat the next two sessions and build a sizeable lead to finish the match in three days. The pitch, however, hasn't shown signs of any further deterioration from what it was on the first day.

Australia captain Pat Cummins (0/41 in 8 overs) had set the bait for his opposite number with a deep fine leg and deep mid-wicket fielder but bowled fuller during his morning spell.

Rohit brought his favourite pull shot out of the closet during the Australian skipper's second spell when delivery was dug in short.

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In fact, the low bounce made it easier to defend as both Rohit and Ashwin, during their 42-run stand, often plonked their front foot to frustrate the bowlers.