Cheteshwar Pujara Scores Century on the Opening Day of Adelaide Test, Completes 5000 Runs to Join Rahul Dravid on This List
After opting to bat first, India kept losing wickets at one end as Pujara held the fort.
Cheteshwar Pujara notched his 16th Test century during the opening day of India vs Australia first Test at the Adelaide Oval. Pujara also completed 5000 Test runs and joins former India captain Rahul Dravid as the fifth fastest Indian batsmen to reach the milestone. Pujara and Dravid both took 108 innings to achieve the feat. Interestingly, Pujara had previously taken the same number of innings as Dravid did for 3000 and 4000 Test runs. Meanwhile, Pujara was dismissed minutes before the close of play on day one on an individual score 123 runs. IND vs AUS 1st Test Day 1 Highlights.
After opting to bat first, India kept losing wickets at one end as Pujara held the fort. The right-hander showed rest of the batsmen how to play with patience. India lost opener KL Rahul in the second over of the day when he was caught in the slips off Josh Hazlewood.
In then lost Murali Vijay and captain Virat Kohli in quick succession and were reduced to 19/3. Though Pujara kept things tight at one end, India lost half the side for just 86 runs. Pujara then was involved in two partnerships that somewhat helped India recover. He firsts hared 41 runs from the sixth wicket with Rishabh Pant and then 62 runs for the seventh wicket with Ravi Ashwin.
Fastest Indian Batsmen to 5000 Test Runs (Innings)
| Player | Innings to 5000 Test Runs |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 95 innings |
| Virender Sehwag | 99 innings |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 103 innings |
| Virat Kohli | 105 innings |
| Rahul Dravid/Cheteshwar Pujara | 108 innings |
Pant and Ashwin were both dismissed in space of ten overs to leave India at 189 for seven. Pujara then batted with the tail to take India’s total past the 200-run mark. Pujara in the process completed his century as well. Virat Kohli's Fall of Wicket Video: Usman Khawaja Takes an Unbelievable Catch to Dismiss the Indian Captain.
The right-hander was then dismissed minutes before the stumps as he was run out after a brilliant throw by Pat Cummins. Pujara faced 246 deliveries for his knock and smashed seven fours and a couple of sixes as well.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 06, 2018 02:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).