IND vs AUS, third Test, Day 2: Pujara thrives, others barely survive on Indore turner

On a day when runs got here at a premium and wickets have been dime a dozen in Indore, India once more fell again on its most dependable warhorse, Cheteshwar Pujara, to regular a rocking ship on day two of the third Border-Gavaskar Test on Thursday.

However, Pujara’s methodology, in a format that also rewards longevity, endurance, and self-discipline, belongs to a diminishing breed. His method and intent will most likely nonetheless be dissected lengthy after his profession is over. But if one doesn’t actually perceive how he does it, this innings is proof that Pujara can discover a approach to not solely survive however thrive in probably the most testing situations.

“My aim was to be a bit more positive, try and score as many as possible. If there was a bit more of a partnership with Axar (Patel), it could have helped,” Pujara, who fell for a 142-ball 59, informed the host broadcaster after stumps. “I’m learning a few more tricks, if there’s demand, I feel rather than playing too many dot balls, if you can take a few chances, you can get runs. Now I’m confident whenever it’s needed, I can play those shots.”

India had misplaced opener Shubman Gill to a senseless heave when Pujara walked out to bat. But that isn’t new to him. He has bailed his group out for almost a decade-and-a-half, grinding it out on listless tracks in harsher climate and equally powerful oppositions, the place he might not be a crowd favorite, in contrast to a few of his different colleagues, however his worth to the facet is second to none.

Pujara reached his thirty fifth Test fifty with an innocuous single to long-on off 108 balls. He was crushed numerous instances, rapped on the pads, and even dropped, however he didn’t let it faze him as he went about his enterprise with the peace of mind of a person who knew spiritually the place his off stump was at all times.

Nathan Lyon, who took an eight-wicket haul on Thursday, has dismissed Pujara 13 instances in Tests, thrice on this collection. The two have had a number of exhilarating head-to-heads within the final decade, and the Aussie spin spearhead was all reward for Pujara. “I wouldn’t describe him as flashy. But he is an unbelievable cricketer, and we have a lot of respect for how he goes about his batting,” Lyon mentioned. “It doesn’t matter if it’s bouncing at the Gabba or spinning in Indore, he seems to find a method. I think a lot of boys and girls watch the way he goes about his batting and learn from him. He does not have the big reverse sweeps, but he does have an exceptional defence. For me, Test cricket is built around defence. Not if you’re England at the moment (laughs), but yeah, hats off to Pujara.”

But ultimately, Pujara’s effort couldn’t forestall India from collapsing for 163 in its second innings. If solely different Indian batters had rallied round their ‘warrior’, the end result might’ve been totally different at Stumps.