Pujara, Saha put India in charge against Australia

RANCHI: Cheteshwar Pujara compiled an epic double century and Wriddhiman Saha hit a career-best 117 to deflate Australia and put India in a strong position on the fourth day of the third Test yesterday.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja then brightened India’s victory prospects dismissing David Warner and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon cheaply to reduce Australia to 23/2.

Matt Renshaw was batting on seven at stumps with Australia still 129 runs behind and under considerable pressure to save the match.

Earlier, Pujara became the first Indian batsman to face 500 deliveries in a Test innings, spending more than 11 hours at the crease for his 202.

Resuming the day with India 91 runs behind Australia’s first innings total of 451, Pujara and Saha frustrated the tourists and batted through the first two sessions to forge a 199-run seventh wicket partnership.

Both fell in the final session trying to accelerate with Australia looking jaded by then.

Pujara faced 525 balls in his tireless knock, capitalising on the exceptionally fast outfield to score 21 boundaries at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium, which is hosting its first Test.

Bangladesh secured their maiden Test win against Sri Lanka, and their second against a major Test-playing nation in the last five months, with an eventful four-wicket victory on the final day of the second Test at the P Sara Oval yesterday.

Playing their 100th Test overall, the touring side chased down their target of 191 in the final session to level the twomatch series at 1-1.

Bangladesh had lost 15 Tests and drawn two of their previous 17 matches in the fiveday format against Sri Lanka and yesterday’s victory is undoubtedly their best away from home after they beat England in Dhaka last October. – Reuters