Pujara’s unbeaten century takes India close to Australia

Renshaw and Smith survived the first hour of play with some sensible batting during their 36-run third-wicket stand until the pressure exerted by India caught up with the visitors.

Enroute to his double century, Cheteshwar Pujara hit 21 boundaries but most importantly spent more than 600 minutes at the crease.

Each run flowing out of Pujara’ willow is invaluable for skipper Virat Kohli and team India.

The opening wicket of the day came four balls after a heated verbal confrontation between Sharma and Renshaw, who pulled out late in the veteran’s run-up.

The match was turned firmly in India’s favour by a 199-run partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha.

The tourists were 149 for four at tea with Marsh on 38 and Handscomb on 44, trailing India by three runs in their second innings. Even when I defended, I did it in a positive sense and when I played my shots, that was also in a positive sense. “If we can get closer to the target and possibly extend the lead from there, I think it’s going to be a good game on hand”, Vijay told reporters. There’s no real demons in the track, it’s about us applying ourselves as Pujara and Saha did today. Chopped and changed as best as they could in the conditions.

India started of their innings well but were soon in a spot of bother when Pujara and Saha dug deep to bail India out of that tricky situation and set up an exciting final day. But the bowlers worked really hard and I thought they were fantastic.

A look at the top headlines after India broke down yet another big total and pushed Australia on the backfoot. “Hats off to selectors to go with him”.

Ravindra Jadeja produced a magical delivery to get rid of Steve Smith in Ranchi.

Kohli stared down Warner as he bounced around tapping his injured right shoulder while Jadeja put his index finger over his lips, appearing to signal “keep quiet”.

After suffering a massive 333-run defeat inside three days in Pune, India brillianty bounced back to level the series in Bengaluru with a 75-run win.

“We’ve got to save the game”, Lehmann said. The final push was provided by none other than Ravindra Jadeja, who first scored an unbeaten 54 off 55 balls and then quickly snuffed out two wickets. “We needed a partnership, and we built it slowly”.