Australia v India, first Test: Cheteshwar Pujara ton sole highlight for India on day one

Cheteshwar Pujara’s Achilles heel turned trump card against Australia as the Indian No.3 soaked up a ton of pressure and time his teammates couldn’t in Adelaide on Thursday.

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara celebrates bringing up his century at Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Picture: AAP

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Update: Cheteshwar Pujara’s Achilles heel turned trump card against Australia as the Indian No.3 soaked up a ton of pressure and time his teammates couldn’t in Adelaide on Thursday.

Pujara (123) was India’s rock with mercurial powers of concentration that contrasted with a side cut down by impetuous stroke-play against high calibre Australian bowling.

“It is one of my top five innings in Test cricket. The way the teammates were appreciating they said it was one of my best innings,” said Pujara who passed 5000 Test runs with his 16th Test ton.

“It was tough but I was set and knew what shots I could play. It was tough considering the weather.

“They bowled well in the first two sessions. Our top order should have batted better but will learn from the mistakes.

“I felt it wasn’t easy to bat on.”

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara celebrates bringing up his century at Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Picture: AAP

Originally hyped as India’s replacement for legend Rahul Dravid, Pujara was the only wall Australia’s attack encountered on day one despite being affected by hamstring cramps that required physio treatment after play.

India was 9-250 at stumps with Pujara run out off the last ball before stumps by brilliant fielding from Pat Cummins.

“I had to take the single to retain the strike,” explained Pujara.

Pujara has regularly been dressed down by Virat Kohli and team management for his tardy strike-rate despite a Test career average of 50.

Pujara was dropped for the third Test against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 2016 because of a series strike rate of 26. Indian concerns at Pujara’s ‘intent’ saw the 30-year-old dropped for the first Test against England at Edgbaston last August.

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was in fine touch on day one of the first Test in Adelaide. Picture: AAP

The kid who grew up using mattress cut-outs as pads delivered a series opening triumph of substance over style here. Battling an elite attack over five hours and 246 balls defined a batsman of true resilience and quality.

Pujara averages 34 in Oceania but hoped his overseas record would attract more respect.

“It means a lot. People like to say I score a lot of runs in India but you need to look at the number of matches we play in India,” said Pujara, called ‘Steve’ by his Yorkshire teammates who struggle with his name.

“At times I have had a bad phase overseas but still feel very confident in different conditions. Playing County cricket helped me a lot.”

Pujara is a reminder of a bygone age when batsmen were in for the long-haul. Focusing on Test cricket has its advantages.

“If you are playing one format you have better time to prepare than players playing white ball cricket,” said Pujara, who reached his ton in 231 balls in the 85th over off Mitchell Starc.

He may be the unfashionable slow coach of a side high on celebrity but India can be thankful Pujara is no flash in the pan.

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