Australia v India fourth Test: Pujara's third ton of series puts visitors in command

Aditya Devavrat 12:54 03/01/2019
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  • Cheteshwar Pujara.

    Cheteshwar Pujara’s third century of the series put India in a commanding position after Day 1 of the fourth Test against Australia.

    Chasing a first-ever series win in Australia, captain Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat, and saw his batsmen pile on the runs as India ended the day on 303/4.

    Pujara was unbeaten on 130, accompanied by Hanuma Vihari – restored to No 6 after opening in the previous Test – who added a counter-attacking 39 after seeing Kohli fall cheaply.

    The Indian captain looked solid but fell to a leg-side strangle again for just 23, the second Indian batsman to fail to put up a substantial score in the innings. Opener KL Rahul, recalled as India shuffled their batting line-up and bowling attack, made only nine runs.

    However, Rahul’s partner, Mayank Agarwal, hit an enterprising 77, which included two sixes off of Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, before perishing while attempting a third when a maiden century seemed there for the taking.

    Pujara and Kohli put on a half-century stand after Agarwal’s wicket, and Pujara also shared a 48-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane, who yet again failed to convert a start, falling for 18.

    It was a day of toil for Australia’s bowlers, with Josh Hazelwood the standout performer, finishing the day with figures of 2/51 from 20 overs. He was the only Australian bowler to have an economy rate under three an over, as Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon were milked for runs and Mitchell Starc was expensive.

    Both sides made changes to their XI for the final Test of the series, which India leads 2-1. With Rohit Sharma absent due to the birth of his child, India brought back Rahul, and also replaced injured pacer Ishant Sharma with left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who joined Ravindra Jadeja in a bowling attack consisting of two spinners and two pacers on a pitch already showing signs of turn and bounce on Day 1.

    Australia dropped vice-captain Mitchell Marsh again, with Peter Handscomb replacing the all-rounder. Opener Aaron Finch was also left out of the XI after his struggles during the series. Marnus Labuschagne was drafted in to replace Finch, though the batsman and part-time leg-spinner will likely bat at No 3, with Usman Khawaja expected to move into Finch’s opening slot.

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