India ahead after Pujara, Saha heroics
The duo’s marathon 199run seventhwicket partnership leaves Aussies staring at defeat RANCHI: Cheteshwar Pujara overtook Rahul Dravid by playing the longest innings by an Indian while constructing a patient 199run stand with ton-up Wriddhiman Saha before Ravindra Jadeja mauled Australia with bat and ball, handing India the winning advantage on the fourth day of the third Test in Ranchi on Sunday.
At stumps, Australia were down to 23/2 within eight overs after India declared at 603/9, a 152-run lead. The tourists trail by 129 runs but going by the turn extracted by Jadeja from the rough with the new ball, Australia will have to pull off a miracle on the fifth day to escape defeat.
If India manage to win this Test, it will be because Pujara showed them the virtue of playing time. India batted for 210 overs for their first innings total with Pujara alone consuming 525 balls. Having featured with Pujara in a match-winning 316run partnership at the Irani Cup final against Gujarat earlier this year, Saha too was no stranger to his ways.
So, together they got down to dig India out of a hole and put them on an ascent. India were still trailing Australia by 91 runs at the start of a very overcast morning session and the visitors were probably looking to keep India down to a manageable lead. But instead of scoring quickly, Pujara and Saha chose the timetested tactic of wearing down the opposition.
Not a team to bow out easily, Australia unleashed a barrage of bouncers, especially at Saha, but the duo took everything thrown at them to ensure two wicketless sessions that produced 75 and 68 runs respectively. It slowly caused Australia to wilt.
Matthew Wade dropped Saha on 51 before Australia wasted two reviews on him. Both stemmed from frustration. The first occasion --- on the cusp of lunch --- saw Saha’s bat hitting the ground while sweeping but Wade was convinced he had edged it. The second review was even more desperate as Saha had clearly been hit on the chest by Pat Cummins but Steve Smith was ready to take his chances.
Unlike Australia, both Pujara and Saha were rewarded for using their reviews judiciously. The cumulative effect of dropped catches and wasted reviews took a toll on Australia as they looked weary by the time India took the lead just after lunch. From then on, there was no looking back.
Pujara departed on 202 after tea before Saha too left, playing a lofted shot. But Jadeja, who ended the innings with a flourish, struck two quick blows.