India vs Australia: ‘Cheteshwar Pujara was frustrating Virat Kohli as he wasn’t getting singles,’ feels Ian Chappell

India vs Australia: ‘Cheteshwar Pujara was frustrating Virat Kohli as he wasn’t getting singles,’ feels Ian Chappell

Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli

Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli
Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli

In their first day-night Test away from home, India finds itself in a spot of bother. The visitors were off a rocky start before captain Virat Kohli steadied the ship with Cheteshwar Pujara. The duo stitched a resilient 68 run stand before the former was sent packing by Nathan Lyon. Joined by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Kohli continued to build the innings carefully.

The duo of Kohli and Rahane made a crucial 88 run stand. But a mix up saw Kohli get run out and India’s steady innings crumbled away thereafter. The Indian captain’s wicket proved pivotal for the visitors as Australia clawed their way back taking wickets at regular intervals. The visitors finished day one at 233 at the loss of seven wickets. But were able to add only 11 more runs as they were bowled out in under four overs into the second day.

Defiant Pujara grinds Aussie quicks

Cheteshwar Pujara

It was Pujara’s 160 ball 43 which helped India see of the Kangaroos’ lethal new-ball attack. But Australian great Ian Chappell feels that Pujara’s innings frustrated Kohli during their stand for the third wicket. Chappell feels that it is Pujara’s slow innings which would have troubled Kohli more than the run out. The former Aussie captain adds that he expected better cricket from a player of Pujara’s stature.

“A player of his calibre should have been able to manoeuvre the ball a bit better and pick up singles,” Chappell told Wide World of Sports. “I think he was frustrating Kohli by the fact that he wasn’t getting singles. But that’s the way (Pujara) plays.”

Former Australian wicket-keeper batsman Brad Haddin also questioned Pujara’s approach. Haddin reckoned that Kohli lost the momentum with Pujara at the other end as the duo wasn’t rotating the strike. But the visitors now look in control of the game as Australia’s opening woes return to haunt them.

Australia are struggling having lost the openers for just 29 runs on board. The second session of the day is going to be crucial as the best batters for Australia, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuchagne, look to steady the ship against a top-quality Indian attack.

Also read | ‘Virat Kohli lost his momentum as Cheteshwar Pujara was caught at one end,’ says Brad Haddin