One day in a long season of Test cricket in India was Cheteshwar Pujara, with a dash of Virat Kohli thrown in.India's
Next Gen bravely rose to the challenge of following in the footsteps of
giants Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in front of an impressive audience
count of more than 15,000 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket
Stadium in Hyderabad on a work day on Thursday.New
Zealand did not have the strongest bowling attack, but when Pujara
Kohli was accompanied by early in the second session of the first day of
the first Test, India were in some strife at 125 for three.By
then he had booked Pujara in the long run, drawing attention with his
poise and brilliant game back foot in his first test since January 2011.
Kohli
did not suffer by comparison, though he himself will start by throwing
away one hundred proof, in an excellent position to fourth century
wicket dragged India out of danger and took them to 307 for five at
stumps.Maiden
Test century in his fourth game Pujara was impressive in the way it was
compiled - with patience, but not too well before, and in a flurry of
punches that took him from 50 to 100 in just 50 deliveries. It
was an innings which was made even more special because, in addition to
the inevitable pressure staff must have felt in his return, also had to
face the demands of the team whose batting problems appear to have
affected the new season as well.India
had a usual frenetic start after Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss, but
none of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag looked in complete control. There
was no bounce and swing early New Zealand will feel Chris Martin and
Trent Boult should have exploited the best conditions, but Gambhir and
Sehwag was lucky to put 49 in quick time when Gambhir was caught behind
Boult persevering.By
then, Daniel Flynn and Martin had Sehwag lose an opportunity difficult
as superior traction edge kept going out of the game mid-wicket. It
was one of many possibilities that eluded means New Zealanders - Ross
Taylor, the captain, had a day particularly common at first slip,
reacting late for at least three opportunities that could have grabbed
another day - but apart from Pujara, nobody took the LET-offs.Boult
and Doug Bracewell, until he limped off the field with cramps, I kept
plugging away, but as the flattened surface, began to look less and less
pervasive. At night, there were worrying signs for New Zealand over the odd ball keeping low.Sehwag was the first New Zealand gifts gripped. Playing
a shot more, which was acquired at second slip by Martin Guptill
attempting a cut delivery tipping him, and cramped for room. Kohli was dismissed in almost identical form much later, with the only difference that the ball was much broader.India Sehwag dismissal pulse typically stolen. Sachin
Tendulkar, extreme caution was content to keep his end up, although
occasionally enlivened with excellent performances Pujara cuts both the
Pacers and Jeetan Patel, whose offspin was the best firm.The tickets came to a head with Tendulkar dismissal by Boult. The left arm paceman brought one back into Tendulkar and breached their defenses crumb and a half. Tendulkar
crouched behind the ball past him, suggesting that had fallen down,
but, in reality, the whims of the court had little to do with his fall.New
Zealand were pumped suddenly aware that all experienced Indian batsmen
were back in the cabin and the most vulnerable to the middle order could
uncover. His
designs were widely rejected by Pujara, batting with supreme authority,
and Kohli, clearly boosted by their recent limited-overs form, but
competent enough to adapt to the demands of the longer version.Kohli
takes over-matched game Pujara impressive again standing offside - that
repeatedly the difference between the midpoint and wide back-off with
ease - as the initiative came from the hands of New Zealand. With
Patel not exert any pressure worth the name and the fast bowlers find
no joy in a ball of aging, Pujara and Kohli went on the attack, spraying
New Zealand in the first hour of the last session.Ragged and clearly on the defensive, New Zealand were allowed a foot in the door for adventure Kohli. Pujara,
undaunted, tickled one fine leg for his 100th career held by an
individual with enthusiasm usually restricted, but met again quickly
approach, especially after Suresh Raina back lasted just 25 minutes
before being strangled by legside.Dhoni,
all fire and brimstone, did most of the race towards the end as India
saw off the threat of the new ball second, Pujara survive a very
confident shout capture the discount window when Martin 117 .
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