Cheteshwara Pujara becomes first Indian to face 500 balls in Tests

Pujara scored a double-century and Saha notched up a ton as the duo produced a partnership of 199 runs to enable India declare their first innings at 603/9 for a lead of 152 runs.

Australia still trail India by 129 runs with 8 wickets in hand. He didn’t even play his favourite sweep shot en route his maiden Test hundred.

Introduced in the sixth over, Jadeja (4/106) bowled a non-stop spell and took all the three wickets in the first session. The plan worked as Australia added 64 quick runs for the sixth wicket, Wade making 37 off them before Jadeja had him caught behind.

Pujara was an epitome of concentration as he brought up his 150 in typical fashion, stealing a run of a defensive jab. Once Vijay departed to a rash stroke off Steve O’Keefe on the stroke of lunch, it was over the Pujara to fly the flag. India batted for as many as 210 overs in their first innings, which began in the second session on Day Two.

Frustration: Australian players watch another failed review. The Australians were floored when ball-tracking showed the ball to be missing leg stump. Cummins got another wicket as Rahane departed for 14.

Pujara, who batted for more than 11 hours, joined Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman as the only Indians to have hit two double centuries against Australia.

Pujara used his feet well against the spinners and never allowed them to settle down on a wicket that aided some turn.

Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the India bowlers, taking 5-124, and a positive start from the hosts’ top order leaves the third Test, in Ranchi, delicately poised going into day three. With Pujara at the other end, India progressed with caution.

Cummins, who struck twice in the afternoon session, got Rahane caught behind and Hazlewood bowled Nair with a handsome reverse swinging delivery in the final session.

For the 90 overs on the first day of the Test, the bowling of Indian squad was made to look amateur, first by Australia’s captain Steve Smith and then by the comeback man Glenn Maxwell.

The final Test will be held in Dharamsala from March 25 to 29. His footwork against Lyon and O’ Keefe was exemplary.