Pujara, Saha put India in commanding position against Aussies

The four-match series is level at 1-1. Then we’ve got Jimmy Pattinson, the way he’s come back in the last few Shield games and he’s got another chance in a Shield final, so that’s really good for him and good for Australian cricket.

Saha matched Pujara’s doggedness at the other end after surviving a couple of reviews earlier in the day.

Lehmann said the challenge for his team is to get two good partnerships and get a hold of the game.

Explosive opening batsman David Warner, who has been struggling for most of the series, was expected by the visitors to see them through to stumps. “It was tough to lose those two wickets, some good balls from them, so the challenge for the group is to put into practice on the big stage what we’ve learned”. If they bowl 10 of those so be it.

And he was immediately in the limelight when the Australian team failed with their second DRS attempt. Incidentally, he has two centuries in Test matches against Australia – and he has converted both those hundreds to double centuries.

Australia were left frustrated when their review for a catch off a sweep shot of Saha in the last over before lunch was also overturned.

Ravindra Jadeja continued what has been a fine Test for him by smashing 54 not out off 55 balls with India eventually declaring on 603 for 9.

“When you bowl 210 overs, I don’t think that’s happened too often and India do that well”.

Pujara remained unbeaten on 164 in a resolute batting display of more than four sessions as India reached 435 for 6 in their first innings in reply to Australia’s 451 at lunch on day four.

Cummins removed Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin with bouncers on a fairly lifeless pitch, and former captain Michael Clarke suggested from the commentary box that the paceman had been “outstanding” in his first Test in six injury-interrupted years.

And which many believe will need to be repeated if Australia are to defy their ineffectual history of batting fourth in Asia, and the anxious expectation of many that they might be rolled over before tea time on day five. India seems well-placed in this Test going into the second innings.

Pujara was given out lbw to a sharply turning Nathan Lyon delivery when on 157 but he managed to prolong Australia’s misery by using review to get the decision overturned.