Pujara offers Wall-like resilience
CHETESHWAR Pujara’s achilles heel turned trump card against Australia as the Indian No. 3 soaked up a ton of pressure and time that his teammates couldn’t in Adelaide.
Pujara (123) was India’s rock with powers of concentration that contrasted with a side cut down by impetuous strokeplay against high-calibre Australian bowling.
Originally hyped as India’s replacement for legend Rahul Dravid, Pujara was the only wall Australia’s attack encountered on day one with a 16th Test century despite being affected by hamstring cramps.
India were 9-250 at stumps with Pujara run out off the last ball by brilliant fielding from an exhausted Pat Cummins.
Pujara has regularly been dressed down by Virat Kohli and team management for his tardy strike rate despite a Test career average of 50.
He has never had an easy ride, forced to wait six firstclass seasons before his Test debut. Pujara was dropped for the third Test against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 2016 due to a series strike rate of 26.
Indian concerns about Pujara’s intent saw the 30-yearold dropped for the first Test against England at Edgbaston last August.
The kid who grew up using mattress cut-outs as pads during early morning practice sessions with his father delivered a series-opening triumph of substance over style here.
Battling an elite attack for more than five hours and 246 balls defined a batsman of resilience and quality.
“Class is permanent and he has shown that over time,” said Fox Sports commentator Shane Warne of Pujara whose second-innings 72 sealed a seven-wicket win on debut against Australia at Bangalore in 2010.
Rohit Sharma went out all guns blazing against Australia yesterday. Having swiped Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon for six and narrowly avoided being caught by Marcus Harris, Rohit hit the next ball to the debutant at square leg.