Cheteshwar Pujara defied Australia’s bowling attack and overcame stifling conditions at the Adelaide Oval with a magnificent century on the opening day of the first Test on Thursday.
India was in danger of being bowled out cheaply after reckless batting in the first two sessions, but Pujara scored 123 runs as the visitors reached stumps at 250 for 9.
The 30-year-old notched his 16th century and also passed 5,000 Test runs. Just before the close of day’s play, Pujara was run out by a direct hit from Pat Cummins to end his 246-ball innings.
Pujara played with the determination and patience lacking from the rest of Indian batsmen. He found a willing support from Ravichandran Ashwin (25) as the pair combined for a 62-run seventh-wicket partnership.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Pujara was like a sage on this first day. Focussed, determined and gritty . A knock to remember @cheteshwar1 #IndvAus
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 6, 2018
Like in Southampton when he got a 100, Pujara attacks only when he starts running out of partners. While others attack on instinct and out of insecurity. Well played Pujara. 👏👏👏#MindOverMatter
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 6, 2018
Not surprised, given the impeccable batting skills you bring to the field. What a brilliant, brilliant ton @cheteshwar1 All the best for matches ahead! #Pujara
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) December 6, 2018
Wonderful wonderful innings from Cheteshwar Pujara. Classy, resilient, tenacious….all these old-world virtues. This was the gold standard of test match batting.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 6, 2018
A display of tremendous resilience , grit and fight from @cheteshwar1 Pujara. A really special innings.
India need to bowl well and not let Australia get away with a big lead.#IndvAus— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 6, 2018
Thx to @cheteshwar1 ton Indns will’ve something to bowl with but overall pretty reckless batting by top order..even so the stage is set fr an exciting Test match at Picturesque Adelaide.!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) December 6, 2018
Che Pujara…Take a bow 🙇♂️ #AusvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 6, 2018
A innings to remember for a long time from @cheteshwar1 Pujara. Showed what can happen if one applies himself. Hopefully other batsmen can take inspiration from his ability to fight it out !#IndvAus
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 6, 2018
Champagne 💯 from Pujura 👏
🏏 Patience
🏏 Gameplan
🏏 Execution#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/6eUvshN4uB— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/dizzy259/status/1070577983985860609
One the great guys of the game .. What an innings from @cheteshwar1 … Steve as the Yorkshire team call him as they couldn’t pronounce his 1st name … #AUSvIND @FoxCricket #Adelaide
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 6, 2018
Pujara 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 💯 brilliant innings!
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) December 6, 2018
Australia’s day. Bowlers were good in hot conditions. But that was a serious test match knock from pujara. Patience,application,discipline and mental toughness. Soaked up the pressure early and cash in at the end of the day. Good test match cricket.
— John Hastings (@johnhastings194) December 6, 2018
I don't care what anyone else thinks. I love watching Pujara bat. And I love watching Pujara leave. Don't @ me. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 6, 2018
Pujara you beauty! 💯 @cheteshwar1 #AUSvIND
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 6, 2018
Cheteshwar Pujara is nothing like the modern day cricketer. In brand value, aesthetic appeal or social media obsession. Which only makes it that much more satisfying when he gets runs when they matter. Top, top knock this. #AusvInd
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) December 6, 2018
Pujara standing tall,great demonstration of grit & technique where all around him were faltering showing intent,it was a proper grind and now has put his team in a decent position #AusvIndia
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) December 6, 2018
Terrific innings from Pujara or “Steve” as the Yorkshire men called him as they couldn’t pronounce his first name Cheteshwar ! Congrats on a great 💯 👍
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 6, 2018
Amongst Australia’s dominance on Day 1, @cheteshwar1 has stood tall with a very fine 💯. Aust have bowled exceptionally well in severe heat! #AusvInd
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 6, 2018
This Chesteshwar Pujara innings is worth an IPL orange cap earned over 14 games in 8 weeks across the country. But this man won’t get a contract. So we must find a way to acknowledge and compensate his excellence. #AUSvsIND
— Rahul Fernandes (@newspaperwallah) December 6, 2018
Most runs by a visiting team player on the opening day of a Test series in Australia:
132 – Sir Gary Sobers, Brisbane 1960
126 – Maurice Leyland, Brisbane 1936
123 – CHETESHWAR PUJARA, Adelaide 2018#AUSvIND— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) December 6, 2018
