Third day: Pujara’s ton keep India in hunt

Ranchi: Cheteshwar Pujara became the first Indian batsman to slam a century (130 not out) in the ongoing test series, however, it was Australia which bounced back superbly in the third and final session of the play on the third day of the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy being played at the JSCA International Stadium here to restrict India for 360/6.

Such was the domination of Australian bowlers in the final session of the play that India which had gone into the tea at 303/4 just managed to score just 57 runs in the 31 overs which were bowled during the day.At stumps on day-3 Pujara was unbeaten on 130 (328 balls, 17 fours) while Saha was not out on 18 (42 balls, 3 fours) .

India still trail Australia by 91 runs with four wickets remaining.For Australia, Pat Cummins was the chief destroyer as he picked 3/37 in his 15 overs which he bowled on the third day including the prized wickets of Virat Kohli, Ajinkaya Rahane and R Ashwin.

Josh Hazlewood and Steve O’Keefe accounted for a wicket each.Pujara’s 11th test hundred was first in 2017 and was the fourth which the Saurashtra batsman has hit in this test season.Pujara’s century in Ranchi is also the second hundred which he has scored against the Australians.

Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 120 Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara batted slowly as in the first 10 overs of the morning session only 13 runs were scored.Vijay who was on 42 when stumps were called yesterday went on to complete his 50 with a single in the 50th over of the Indian innings.(UNI)