Australia vs India: Brilliant Ajinkya Rahane century puts India on top in Melbourne Test

Melbourne - Rahane, captaining the team in the absence of Virat Kohli, who has returned home for the birth of his first child, hit 12 fours in his trying innings

Stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane (104 not out, 200 balls, 12 fours) smacked a gutsy unbeaten century Sunday as India built a handy 82-run lead over Australia at stumps on day two of the second Test in Melbourne.

The 32-year-old came to the crease with his team in trouble early in the day after two wickets fell in quick succession, but rode his luck to notch a 12th Test ton in his 67th game.

Rahane, captaining the team in the absence of Virat Kohli, who has returned home for the birth of his first child, hit 12 fours in his trying innings.

He made the most of his fortune, enjoying a huge let-off on 73 when he was dropped at second slip by Steve Smith off a frustrated Mitchell Starc, bringing up his century with a four off Pat Cummins.

It helped give India a 82-run lead over Australia, who were all out for 195 in their first innings.

When rain brought an early end to the day’s play, India were 277 for five in reply, with Ravindra Jadeja not out 40 (104 balls, 1 four).

India had resumed on 90 for three after lunch with Rahane and Hanuma Vihari looking to mow down Australia’s modest total.

The pair batted judiciously for a tense half-hour against the pace-and-spin combination of Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon before Rahane sent a shudder through the India camp by calling for a trainer.

A physio worked on his lower back for several minutes before he retook the crease.

Vihari (21) managed only one more scoring shot, a deft late cut for four off Lyon, before he was dismissed the next ball with an ungainly sweep at the spinner.