Tensions boil over on fiery day

Centuries to Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane help India punish Australia for dropping two crucial catches at the MCG.

Brad Haddin gets day three of the third Test off to a cracking start for Australia with this screaming catch off just the second ball of the day

Brad Haddin helped set up Australia's mammoth first innings score with an attacking display on day two. Source: Getty Images

FOLLOW the live coverage of day three of the third Test at the MCG.

A mostly sunny day is expected in Melbourne, with a top temperature of 31C.

Play starts at 10.30am AEDT. Continue the conversation on Twitter @jaibednall

Scroll to the bottom of the page for blow-by-blow coverage.

LIVE SCOREBOARD: AUSTRALIA vs INDIA THIRD TEST

6pm — JOHNSON-KOHLI FEUD ESCALATES ON DAY THREE

Mitchell Johnson and Virat Kohli were in each others face all day. Source: Getty Images

THE ongoing tension between Mitchell Johnson and Virat Kohli threatened to boil over in a tense day three of the Boxing Day Test.

A slow day at the MCG sprang to life in the second session when Johnson threw the ball at Kohli.

The Indian batsman was out of his crease so it was fair for Johnson to try to run him out — but the ball struck Kohli hard and he fell to the ground.

Kohli falls to the ground after being hit by a ball Johnson threw. Source: Getty Images

The Aussie immediately apologised and all seemed well.

But a perturbed Kohli played and missed at the next ball and then almost offered two catching opportunities as his emotions got the better of him.

He approached Johnson at the end of the over and the pair had a heated exchange, forcing umpires to intervene.

Kohli should have been out on the first ball of Johnson's next over but was dropped at first slip by Shane Watson.

And didn't he make Australia pay.

The stylish strokemaker wasn't out until the final ball of the day, making 169 and leaving India (8/462) just 68 runs short of Australia's first innings score.

His 262 run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (147) was batting at its best and he made sure to let Johnson know whenever he sent him to the boundary.

Johnson (1/133) did get the consolation of having Kohli caught by Brad Haddin but it was Ryan Harris (4/69) and Nathan Lyon (2/108) who led the Australian fight back in a five wicket final session.

It was a case of the best and the worst of the home side in the field as Brad Haddin plucked two screamers but several other players grassed easy chances.

5.20pm — ASHWIN GOES FOR A DUCK, INDIA CRUMBLING

That's four for Rhino. Source: Getty Images

INDIA has now lost 4/25 late on day three after Ravi Ashwin fell without scoring.

The allrounder sent a caught and bowled opportunity back to Ryan Harris, who grabbed at the ball with his right hand before securing it against his body at the second attempt.

Harris has 4/68. India is 7/434, still trailing Australia's first innings score by 96 runs.

Virat Kohli (151 not out) has been quite subdued during the collapse.

5.10pm — HARRIS GETS DHONI, COLLAPSE IS ON

MS Dhoni invented the split sweep during his short innings. Source: Getty Images

RELIABLE Ryan Harris's third wicket of the innings has Australia back in with a shot of leading on first innings in Melbourne.

Harris got MS Dhoni to tickle one through to Brad Haddin on 11, leaving India 6/430.

The visitors have battled since the end of the Ajinkya Rahane-Virat Kohli partnership.

Kohli just brought up his 150 with a nice on drive. Ravi Ashwin is the new batsman.

4.40pm — DEBUTANT COMES AND GOES

Nathan Lyon is helping to turn the tide Australia's way. Source: Getty Images

INDIAN batsman KL Rahul came in swinging and didn't last long in his debut Test innings.

The 22-year-old was dropped by Peter Siddle on one to add another blooper to Australia's horror day in the field.

But rather than using the reprieve as a message to knuckle down, Rahul tried to belt the very next ball and sent it skyward again.

This time the ball fell to Josh Hazlewood at fine leg and he made no mistake with the catch.

India's mini collapse has left the score at 5/415.

4.30pm — IT'S OVER! RAHANE FALLS FOR 147

Yes, Garry! Source: Getty Images

NATHAN Lyon has ended the biggest Indian partnership ever at the MCG, trapping Ajinkya Rahane LBW for 147.

The wicket came 262 runs after Rahane joined Virat Kohli at the crease in the first session of day three.

Rahane had just swept Lyon for the 21st boundary of his innings and tried to repeat the dose the following ball.

But he missed, the ball struck his back pad and after a long wait the umpire raised his finger.

Kohli is 140 not out. India is 4/409.

4pm — INDIAN DUO RUB SALT INTO WOUNDS

It's been a long day for Ryan Harris and the Australian bowlers. Source: Getty Images

ODDS of a draw in the third Test continue to tumble as India looks increasingly likely of reaching Australia's first innings score of 530.

Virat Kohli (124 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (123 not out) — both dropped earlier in the day — continue to dominate the Australian attack.

Kohli recently took 15 runs from one Mitchell Johnson over — including hitting three consecutive boundaries — as the run rate climbs toward four an over.

India is 3/368, just 166 runs behind.

3pm — JOHNSON AND KOHLI INVOLVED IN SPAT

Mitchell Johnson and Virat Kohli have been in each others faces this afternoon. Source: Getty Images

AN undoubtedly slow day at the MCG sprang to life in the second session when Mitchell Johnson and Virat Kohli squared off.

Johnson came back into the attack when Australia took the new ball and immediately turned up the heat by throwing the ball at Kohli in the 83rd over.

The Indian batsman was out of his crease so it was fair for Johnson to try to run him out — but the ball struck Kohli hard and he fell to the ground.

Kohli falls to the ground after being hit by a ball Johnson threw. Source: Getty Images

The Aussie immediately apologised and all seemed well.

But a perturbed Kohli played and missed at the next ball and then almost offered two catching opportunities as his emotions got the better of him.

He approached Johnson at the end of the over and the pair had a heated exchange, forcing umpires to intervene.

Kohli should have been out on the first ball of Johnson's next over but was dropped at first slip by Shane Watson.

He is now 103 not out. Ajinkya Rahane has raced to 111 not out from just 139 balls. India is 3/335 at the tea break and closing fast on Australia's first innings score of 530.

2.30pm — TWITTER REACTS TO HADDIN'S CATCH

Here in Australia, we don't do internet reactions quite as well as the United States.

But there's been a few neat Twitter posts celebrating Brad Haddin's amazing catch this morning (which you can view in the video player above).

Here are some of the best:

Unfortunately Shane Watson copped it (when doesn't he?) for his reaction to Haddin's dive.

This is probably the best photograph of the catch.

2.25pm — WATSON JOINS THE DROP PARTY

Rahane and Kohli should both be back in the changerooms. Source: Getty Images

SHANE Watson put down a tough chance diving low to his right at a ball that was travelling quite quickly when Virat Kohli was on 88.

It followed an earlier blunder by Nathan Lyon. The score is now 3/296.

Watch how the action has unfolded so far on day three of Australia's third Test with India

1.55pm — LYON DROPS A SITTER, INDIA HALFWAY HOME

Nathan Lyon has toiled without reward on day three and he only has himself to blame. Source: Getty Images

NATHAN Lyon just gave Ajinkya Rahane a late Christmas present.

The Aussie spinner put down one of the easiest caught and bowled chances he's ever seen to hand India a reprieve.

It could prove to be a crucial mistake given the timing. If Lyon had held the chance Australia would have a new batsman at the crease right as they're taking the new ball.

Rahane and Virat Kohli are putting together quite a partnership at the MCG.

The Indian duo have added 129 runs since Murali Vijay's wicket to move past the halfway point in their pursuit of Australia's first innings total of 530.

Kohli is 84 not out and Rahane 71 not out. The score is 3/276.

Nathan Lyon watches the ball fly right through his fingers in a horror drop during Australia's third Test with India

12.30pm — KOHLI LOOMS AS THE KEY

Virat Kohli has posted an eye-catching half century. Source: Getty Images

VIRAT Kohli is standing in the way of Australia's hopes of removing India quickly on day three.

The stylish Indian No. 4 has played an array of shots to reach 60 not out.

He's combined with Ajinkya Rahane (43 not out) in a 77 run fourth wicket partnership to take India to 3/224 at lunch. The visitors added 2/116 for the session.

Ryan Harris (2/40) has been the most successful Australian bowler. Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon are wicketless.

11.50pm — INDIAN GREAT SLAMS BOWLERS

Apparently Australia isn't the only country with former cricketers who like getting stuck into current players. Source: Supplied

INDIAN legend Sunil Gavaskar wants an axe taken to India's bowling attack — which he labelled as hopeless after Australia scored 530 on day two.

"It's frustrating when you expect from them. I never had any expectations from this bowling attack. Yes you do hope that they perform but realistically it was not possible," Gavaskar told Indian television.

"I am trying to find a suitable word to describe their performance. In one word, they were hopeless. Look this is more or less the same bowling attack that has been there since 2011 and they haven't performed in South Africa, New Zealand or England where conditions for bowling were better.

"If they couldn't perform there, no way that they would have performed on Australian wickets, which is better for batting. It was expecting too much from them. I believe there is no harm in trying out a new attack as they can't perform worse than this."

The Indian batsmen are faring slightly better on day three, taking the score to 3/182.

Virat Kohli (37) and Ajinkya Rahane (24) are the not out batsmen.

Watch the highlights so far from the third day of Australia's third Test with India

11.25am — WATSON STRIKES TO REMOVE VIJAY

Shane Watson ... a bowling all-rounder? Source: Getty Images

SHANE Watson's impressive series with the ball has continued with the wicket of Murali Vijay for 68 on day three.

Vijay fell in a similar fashion to Cheteshwar Pujara, attempting to cut a rising delivery only to edge it to the slips cordon.

Shaun Marsh took the catch for Australia to leave the visitors 3/147.

11.20am — VIJAY, KOHLI SURVIVE TESTING TIME

Murali Vijay was struck on the head by a Mitchell Johnson delivery. Source: Getty Images

INDIA's two class batsmen — Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli — are engaged in a ding dong battle with Australia's pace attack.

And they're managing to survive — and prosper.

Vijay has been tested by some short pitched Mitchell Johnson bowling but has moved to 67 not out.

Kohli (22 not out) is also playing well. The visitors are 2/142.

10.35am — HADDIN PLUCKS 'CATCH OF THE SEASON'

BRAD Haddin has taken one of the best catches you're likely to see from a wicketkeeper to help Ryan Harris remove Cheteshwar Pujara (25) with the second ball of day three.

Pujara tried to cut a delivery that wasn't that wide and sent an edge flying high to Haddin's right.

The Aussie veteran dived full length and just caught the ball in the webbing of his right glove to claim his 250th Test dismissal.

Veteran commentator Bill Lawry described it as "the catch of the season". Former Aussie keeper Adam Gilchrist tweeted: "Wow, brilliant.".

It was the perfect response to a rare error when he dropped Pujara late on day two.

India is 2/108.

10.15am — HADDIN COMES OUT SWINGING

India targeted Haddin with short pitch bowling. Source: News Corp Australia

THE to and fro between Brad Haddin and the Indian cricket team has continued this morning with the Aussie wicketkeeper claiming the visitors have no plan B.

Haddin found himself in the firing line in the first innings when the Indians tried to bounce him out — a strategy Ravi Ashwin says his team plans to stick with.

"We really thought Haddin had a genuine weakness over there. We continue to think he has a weakness over there. We will continue to target him in the next innings and the next Test match as well. He doesn't quite look that comfortable to us," Ashwin said.

Haddin returned serve this morning in an interview with Ian Healy on Channel 9.

Healy asked Haddin if he'd been surprised at the pluck shown by the Indian side during the series and it was clear Haddin was reluctant to give them much credit.

"We know if we get on top of that little momentum they can get, we know they find it real hard to come back and have a plan B," Haddin said.

"They've got one plan but once we got through that ... we scored at five an over.

"We know if we can keep their bowlers coming back they find it a lot tougher than most to keep backing up."

Haddin's half century early on day two set the tone for Australia as they scored freely to post a first innings score of 530.

"It was pretty obvious where they were going to bowl, so I was going to fight fire with fire," he said.

The visitors resume at 1/108 this morning but Haddin is confident Australia can find the 19 wickets needed to win the game.

"The rate we scored at has allowed us time to bowl India out — and I think we need that on this wicket," he said.

"I thought the way we went about our business yesterday was first class."

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