Cheteshwar Pujara’s another brilliant century has put the visitors into the commanding position at the end of day one of the fourth and final Test of the series against the hosts Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground (Sydney).
Leading the series by 2-1, the visiting side decided to bat first after winning the toss. The Indian opener KL Rahul once again failed to utilise his opportunity as he was dismissed on the second over of the match after scoring just 9 runs.
The Accidental Cricketer #AUSvIND #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/dP9GaMUntK
— Ganeshkadam (@imGanesh247) January 3, 2019
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However, another new opener Mayank Agarwal continued his impressive form with the bat along with the no.3 batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. They had a 116-run partnership for the second wicket. Mayank once again played a fascinating knock of 77 runs off 112 balls (7 fours and 2 sixes) that provided a strong start for the visiting side.
A tip for your batting setup, by Ricky Ponting #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/U6tLzmdMkF
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 3, 2019
After Mayank was dismissed, Pujara has continued his impressive job to carry the team’s innings. He had another 54-run partnership with the skipper Virat Kohli for the third wicket. This time, Kohli scored 23 runs before losing his wicket.
Then Pujara had a 48-run partnership for the fourth wicket where Rahane scored 18 runs. Soon after Rahane was dismissed, Pujara completed his 18th Test century in career and third Test century in this series in 199 balls.
Yet another test match hundred for Pujara. Whatta playa #Pujara #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ERKi10qM3b
— Danny (@DPChels) January 3, 2019
Yet another Test Match, yet another marvellous innings from Pujara. Many congratulations on the 18th Test hundred. Has been a delight to watch you bat, @cheteshwar1 ! pic.twitter.com/dxTiaidSYc
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 3, 2019
At next, Pujara has an unbroken 75-run partnership along with Hanuma Vihari for the fifth wicket. At the stumps of the day, India was batting on 303/4 where Pujara was batting on 130 off 250 balls (16 fours) and Vihari was batting on 39 runs off 58 balls (5 fours).
Zindagi na milegi Pujara. Brilliant to watch the determination and the consistency has been amazing.
Congratulations @cheteshwar1 on your third hundred of the series.— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 3, 2019
Pujaraaaa bolo tara rara @cheteshwar1 3 hundreds in last 3 games in australia.. what a player @BCCI #AUSvIND 4th test
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/ManyFacedAnkit/status/1080716600582512640
Calmness while batting, calmness in celebration. Pujara stands out in today’s frenetic world as he has done in this series.👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏#AusvIndia
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 3, 2019
Among the Aussie bowlers, the pacers Josh Hazlewood (2/51) and Mitchell Starc (1/75) picked up two and one wickets respectively while the off-spinner Nathan Lyon (1/88) claimed the other wicket of the day.
Some important stats of day 1 of Sydney Test between Australia and India
- Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara scored his third century in the ongoing Test series on the Australian soil. Third Indian batsman to score more than two centuries in a Test series on the Australian soil. Virat Kohli (four centuries in 2014/15) and Sunil Gavaskar (three centuries in 1977/78) were the other batsmen who have already achieved this feat.
