Cheteshwar Pujara scored a magnificent century as India finished 250/9 at stumps on the first day of the first Test match against Australia in Adelaide. Thanks to the lone fight by Pujara, who scored 123, India could add a tinge of respectability to its total after being reduced to 41/4 before lunch.
Pujara received a great support from R Ashwin with whom he had a partnership of 62 runs for the 7th wicket. After Ashwin was out for 25, the remaining tailenders could not be of much help as India lost two more wickets in succession.
At stumps, Mohammed Shami was batting at 6 while Jasprit Bumrah was yet to open his account.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathon Lyon scalped two wickets apiece.
Pujara’s innings, his 16th Test century, included 7 boundaries and two huge sixes as he continued to pile up runs for India particularly after skipper Virat Kohli failed to deliver and got out for just three. Though Rohit Sharma did his best by scoring 37 runs, this was simply not enough for India to put up a respectable total against the hosts in the 1st Test.
Pujara later said the century at Adelaide was special. He said, “Early on, it was tough to bat on this pitch. But I settled, I knew I could play my shots. This is one of the best Test innings I can say.”
The Indian batting star said that the century on Thursday had taken its toll on him and he had to ‘recover a lot.’ Pujara said, “I will have to see the physio, take a massage. It’s important to recover in time. Although, we’ve been playing a lot of cricket in India, but the heat in Australia has been different.”
He said he was a not a big fan of ice bath but he may have to take one today. The batting star also added that he was looking forward to ‘chocolate milkshake’ before he is back on the field on Friday.
