Classy Pujara saves reckless India
FIRST TEST Superman Kohli dismissed by stunning Khawaja catch as India lose top order cheaply
Runs Balls
In the last ball of the second over of the day, Rahul plays a drive far away from his body and edges to third slip. Great take by Finch and Josh Hazlewood gets his first victim. ADELAIDE: An Indian rescue mission seemingly tailor-made for Virat Kohli instead fell to Cheteshwar Pujara who took his captain’s ‘ Superman’ cape and struck a vital century to save the tourists on the first day of the series-opening Test against Australia.
After Kohli was swept away for just three runs in a maelstrom of dismal shot-making, Pujara carved out a sparkling 123 to guide India to 250 for nine at stumps on a scorching hot day at Adelaide Oval. Battling a hamstring strain in the final session, the 30-year-old produced a masterclass in game management through his 246-ball knock.
Watchful early against Australia’s vaunted pace attack, he then hammered them around the game with an assault on the second new ball late in the day. It took a brilliant piece of fielding by Pat Cummins to remove Pujara with the last ball of the day, the paceman finding the energy to swoop in and throw down the stumps despite bowling 19 overs in the stifling conditions.
Though disappointed, Pujara strode off to a standing ovation in the terraces having steered India to a defendable total after they were reduced for 41 for four in a disastrous first session. “It was one of my top innings in Test cricket, I could say top five,” Pujara told reporters after a knock of seven fours and two sixes. “I can’t rate whether it was one of the best but the teammates who were appreciating said that this is one of the best. I think it was tough considering the weather, it was quite hot, we are used to it in India but still it was hot and humid.”
Tim Paine’s Australia will have felt hugely relieved to see the back of Pujara on this day at least. The batsman has been a thorn in the side since his 2010 debut against Ricky Ponting’s team in Bangalore, when he scored a second innings 72 to steer India to a seven-wicket victory.
He has since feasted on a string of Australian teams, scoring 204 against Michael Clarke’s side in the 2013 Hyderabad Test and 202 in Ranchi against Steve Smith’s men last year. But his first ton on Australian soil may feel the sweetest, especially after his disappointing first tour in 2014/15, when India lost 2-0 despite a mountain of runs from Kohli.
India’s talisman Kohli was also removed by inspired fielding, with Usman Khawaja pinching a stunning one-handed catch with a full-stretch leap in the gully. Kohli was among five of India’s top six batsmen to give up their wickets with loose shots, leaving Pujara to salvage a total from the rubble. Runs Balls
Looks like India have failed to keep their home habit of driving on the up. Vijay tries to drive one through covers and is beaten by pace. Edge carries nicely to skipper Paine behind the stumps. India had won just one of eight tosses in their series against South Africa and England. So Virat Kohli didn’t think twice before choosing to bat when he won the toss. Rohit Sharma was selected ahead of Hanuma Vihari purely because of the bounce factor in Australia. Against pace he averages more against balls bouncing above the stumps (36.90) than balls at stump height (20.66) and more on the back foot (65.40) than the front foot (24.18).
Top four India batsmen — KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane — fall to the drive after pacers incite thick edges with fuller deliveries. India reduced 41/4 by the 21st over.
Cheteshwar Pujara strung three consecutive partnerships of 45, 41 and 62 runs with Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and R Ashwin.
Despite wickets tumbling around him, Pujara stayed focused on digging himself in before taking the attack to Australia. Runs Balls
The ball flies off Kohli's edge and looks like it would get past Khawaja at gully. But Khawaja takes a step to his left and dives full length to complete a spectacular catch. runs 7
runs 3 runs 2
Overall, Pujara played just 12% false shots today, the fewest among India batsman. Average swing Average seam Average pace runs 30
runs 22 Runs Balls
Batsman after batsman get out in similar fashion. Rahane gets his eye in but then tries to drive on the up and edges it to Handscomb at second slip, an action replay of Rahul's dismissal.
At one point of time, he had left 46 deliveries, the same number of balls faced by Kohli, Vijay and Rahul combined. 0.73 degree 0.55 degree 142.86 kph
In the first 25 overs, Aus pacers' avg speed was 142.78kph. It was the fastest new-ball spell this year. No shots
False shots Runs Balls
Goes for an unnecessary slog and is caught by Harris at square-leg. Just the previous ball he was almost caught at the ropes by Harris but the momentum took the fielder out of the ropes. Rest of Top 7 0.61 degree 0.67 degree 136.77 kph
The ball that got Rahane swung 2.15°, the maximum he had faced. Aussies bowled 4% faster and swung 20% more than average. Runs Balls
Pant looks settled and plays a few solid hits to the fence. Lyon gets him as he reaches out to defend a ball that drifted in and spun out. It was a faint edge, but Pant does not go for a review. Runs Balls
Ashwin once again puts a price on his wicket. He is out off a beauty from Cummins. The ball straightens after coming in and gets the outside edge. Handscomb catches at second slip. Runs Balls
Ishant Sharma hangs in there with Pujara, survives a DRS for leg-before. But a full length inswinger by Starc hits Sharma's pads and knocks his off-stump over.
c Finch b Hazlewood c Paine b Starc c Khawaja b Cummins c Handscomb b Hazlewood c Harris b Lyon c Paine b Lyon c Handscomb b Cummins b Starc run out (Cummins)
Runs Balls
Pujara pushed for a single at mid-on. Cummins runs to his right, picks up and flicks a side arm throw diving forward. It’s a brilliant piece of fielding as he hits with one stump to aim at.