Mohali: An inspired Shikhar Dhawan made the third day his own by bludgeoning his way to an unbeaten 168-ball 185 – the fastest Test century by a debutant in the third match of the series on Saturday.
The hosts finished the day on a commanding 283-0 with Murali Vijay giving Dhawan company with an 83 off 181 deliveries after Australia were bowled out for 408 in the first session.
Dhawan was on a record-breaking spree as he raced to his century off a mere 85 balls, with the hosts still trailing by 125 runs
The left-hander beat the record of West Indian Dwayne Smith, who reached his ton in 93 balls in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in January 2004.
In the process, Dhawan also became the highest scorer for India on debut, beating the previous record held by Gundappa Vishwanath (137) versus Australia in Kanpur in 1969.
The rollicking Dhawan-Vijay association was also the highest for the first wicket at this ground, and the best for India against Australia.
India smashed 127 runs in the final session, with a whopping 418 runs being scored on the day.
Earlier, one run was all that separated Starc from becoming the first number nine Australian batsman to notch up a century in India, as the visitors posted a competitive total.
Starc, along with Steven Smith (92), frustrated the Indians, helping Australia add 135 runs in the morning before Ravichandran Ashwin trapped last-man Xavier Doherty. (PTI)
