Cheteshwar Pujara hit an elegant century on his Test comeback as India recovered from a jittery start to finish first day on a comfortable 307 for five against New Zealand in the opening cricket Test here today.
At stumps, Pujara, playing his fourth Test, remained undefeated on 119 with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (29) giving him good support as the duo added 47 for the unbroken sixth wicket partnership.
After 16 years, Indian cricket's new era in Tests started at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal today, without stalwarts like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in the starting line-up.
Pujara, who has long been considered having the requisite game to replace Dravid, showed that he has the right technique and temperament to succeed at the international level.
India had a brisk start when the opening duo of Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag added 49 runs for the first wicket after Dhoni elected to bat after winning the toss.
But the duo perished to some reckless shots as left-arm seamer Trent Boult gave New Zealand the first breakthrough in the form of Gambhir who chased an outgoing delivery to be caught behind for 22.
Sehwag, after getting a reprieve on 35, also failed to convert a fine start being dismissed for a 41-ball 47.
Seniormost player Sachin Tendulkar, also did not last long after being castled for 19 as it was left for young guns Pujara and Virat Kohli (58) to put their hand up and be counted.
They did not disappoint during their stand of 125 runs for the fifth wicket which was also entertaining due to some fine strokemaking by the duo.
Pujara's innings was all about patience and perseverance. His dodgy knee has hurt him for the past two seasons before he showed glimpses of his good form during India 'A' tour of West Indies in June this year.
After the dismissals of Gambhir and Sehwag in quick successions during the first hour's play, India needed their No 3 batsman to lend solidity, a role Dravid had performed to perfection over the last decade and half.
Displaying a wide array of strokes during his near chanceless innings, Pujara revelled in the role of a sheet anchor.
The youngster had the esteemed company of the world's leading scorer Tendulkar but the partnership didn't last long as the legendary batsman was bowled through the gate.
It was a delivery that kept a bit low and skidded through breaching Tendulkar's defence.
India were in a spot at 125 for three before Kohli-Pujara duo bailed the team out.
It might seem an impossible task to fill in the void left after the retirement of Dravid and Laxman, who have a combined tally of 298 Tests and over 22,000 runs between them, but the young duo of Pujara and Kohli displayed the right intent.
After Tendulkar's departure, the second session was all about consolidating and it yielded 85 runs from 29 overs, while in the last session they took charge on Kiwi bowlers.
Skipper Dhoni, who was given a rapturous welcome by the 15,207-strong crowd, acknowledged the gesture hitting Patel for a six over long in the very seventh ball he faced.
Dhoni scored at brisk pace and intelligently rotated the strike, giving bulk of the deliveries to a well-set Pujara.
Pujara got a lucky reprieve on 117 when Aussie umpire Steve Davis ruled out a huge appeal of caught behind.
The replays showed that the ball kissed the gloves on the way to wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk but umpire Steve Davis had other ideas.
India raced to 300-mark in 85.2 overs with Dhoni going great guns along with the day's hero Pujara.
No comments:
Post a Comment