A marathon century by Cheteshwar Pujara and a swashbuckling ton from Rishabh Pant all but ended Australia’s hopes of saving the Test series as India built a massive 622 for seven (declared) in the fourth and final Test match being played in Sydney.
The methodical Pujara made a mast🐽erful 193 off 373 balls while Pant scored his highest Test score in an entertaining 159 not-out.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with a lively 81 in a 204-run stand with Pant –🧔 a record seventh-wicket partnership at the Sydney Cricket Gro♌und (SCG).
Indian captain Virat Kohli finally declared when Jadeja got out, with the tireless Nath♑an Lyon picking up 4-178 off 57.2 gruel🤪ling overs.
It left new-look Australian openers Marcus Harris (19) and Usman Khawaja (5) to🍒 negotiate 10 tricky overs before stumps after a torturous day in the field. They ended at 24 without loss.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Test match batting at its best by Pujara. has been the difference between the 2 teams for me. To be able to bat for such long periods of time is a testament to his concentration a🧸nd understanding of the game.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
A great lesson to all batsmen in the series and tests in general. showing how trusting your strengths and ♍being unashamedly dogged in technique and concentration brings great rewards.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2)
A true Test star’s knock Cheteshwar Pujara & never mind missing that double century. More will come. A worthy𒊎 successor to Rahul Dravid at no. 3.
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta)
Fast and 🌌furious🔜, doing what he knows best. What an achievement! always the backbone of our attack. Strong & steady!
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)
Tremendous innings from 159* 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🏏
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23)
After Pujara’s brilliant 193, Rishabh Pant has assured that India put the game firmly out of Australia’s grip. Very impಞressed by his temperament today and congratulations to him on his 2nd overseas 100, 1 in Eng and now 1 in Aus, only the 2nd wk after Jeff Dujjon to do so
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Yes pantyyy lad!!! 💯 bosh!!!
— Danielle Wyatt (@Danni_Wyatt)
Chitt ke Ishwar, another name for Lord Shiva – Cheteshwar Pujara.
Destroyed Australia’s chances in the series, most number of balls batted by an Indian in a series against Australia. Outstanding 193, memo༺rable knock— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Wham 💥- well done !!!!!! 🏏🔥🇮🇳
— Pallavi Sharda (@pallavisharda)
What a﷽ knock u beauty little dynamite 👏👏👏🔥🔥😊🇮🇳💪💪 ��⭐ꦕ️
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3)
Confident deꦇcl🅘arations in this series shows the dominance of this Indian side. India have two spinners this time. Should be an exciting game!
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
Congratulations Jaddu on the Fifty. Ravindr✅a Jadeja
— Saravanan Hari 💛🦁🏏 (@CricSuperFan)
Unsheath and twirl away, Sir Jadeja.
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell)
//twitter.com🔯/CඣhaharDeepak9/status/1081074958296539137
Batsmen aroun꧟d the world need to take a leaf out of Pujara’s batting. has been gritty, patient and he put a price on his wicket and this is Test match batting done right.
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349)
First Indian Keeper to score a Test ton in England.
First Indian keeper to score a Test ton in Australia.
And it’s only his 9th Test. What an asset he can be in times to come….— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Top top knock from , controlled aggression. Would have been tempted to throw his bat around in the current circums🍃tances
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7)
Bravo🅺 & showing everyone what you ne🐼ed to do score runs away from home. Impressive to watch
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93)
The SIR s🔯word! Teaꦺmed up with Rishabh Pant for a super partnership, scoring a quickfire 81 off 114 balls! 💛🦁 PC:
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)
Highest scores by a visiting wicket-keeper in Australia
169 – AB de Villiers (Perth) Nov 2012
140*- Rishabh Pant (Sydney) today— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
