After some reckless shot selection and dismal show by the top-order Indian batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara took on the Aussie bowling attack as he scored a brilliant fifty which helped his team to put 150 runs on the scoreboard despite a terrible top-order collapse. Thanks to Cheteshwar Puajar whose gritty half-century has kept the momentum alive.
It was in the 58th over; Pujara got his 20th Test fifty, seventh against Australia and second on the Australian soil. At tea, India had lost six wickets, with Pujara and Ashwin holding the fort for their squad.
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Cheteshwar Pujara's gritty innings was the sole silver lining in yet another ordinary batting display which reduced India to 143 for six at tea on day one of the first Test against Australia.
Post lunch, Rohit and Pujara started off well as they added 45 runs for the fifth wicket.
While Pujara was sedate at one end, the former took the lead in scoring as he hit sixes at will. Two came off Pat Cummins (1-31); the first a pull shot that sailed for six and the other a proper cover drive that cleared the ropes comfortably.
After hitting Nathan Lyon for a six in the 38th over, Rohit Sharma (37) decided to hit him again the very next delivery for some inexplicable reason but Harris took the catch this time easily without moving an inch.
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Rishabh Pant (25) scored two fours and a six in the space of a few deliveries, before Pujara asked him to calm down. The duo then added 41 runs for the sixth wicket as India crossed 100 in the 41st over, including five sixes surprisingly.
Pant didn't look comfortable though as he was forced to play against his natural game. And it showed when he edged Lyon behind to be dismissed shortly before tea.