Cheteshwar Pujara celebrated his comeback with a maiden century to help India post 307 for five on opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Hyderabad.
The 24-year-old, who played his last Test in January 2011, cracked a solid 119 not out in India’s first match after the retirement of veterans Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.
India were under pressure at 125 for three after losing experienced campaigners Virender Sehwag (47), Gautam Gambhir (22) and Sachin Tendulkar (19), but Pujara and Virat Kohli (58) propped up the innings with a 125-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Captain MS Dhoni was unbeaten on 29 at stumps.
Pujara, who replaced Dravid at number three, looked comfortable against both pace and spin during his 226-ball knock, which contained one six and 15 fours.
Pujara pleased with performance
“I am really happy,” said Pujara. “I wanted to score a hundred on my Test debut but I missed it, so I am really satisfied that I got my maiden hundred now.
“I don’t think I can replace Rahul Dravid because he is such a legend. He has scored more than 10,000 runs in both formats. It’s impossible to replace him.”
Pujara played some aggressive shots after completing his half-century, hitting left-arm paceman Trent Boult for three fours in an over and smashing part-time spinner Kane Williamson over wide long-on for the first six of the match.
The 23-year-old Kohli, playing his ninth Test, cracked eight fours in his fourth Test half-century before falling to a poor shot, caught at second slip by Martin Guptill while trying to cut paceman Chris Martin.
He gave a chance on 46 when he edged off-spinner Jeetan Patel, but lone-slip Ross Taylor failed to hold on to it. It went for a four, helping the Indian reach his half-century.
India lost one more wicket when Suresh Raina, who replaced Laxman in the middle order, was caught behind off Patel after making three.
Boult had Gambhir caught behind and then got a big wicket when he bowled Tendulkar, who was playing his first Test after becoming a member of parliament.
“It was special to get Tendulkar out. It was obviously a prized wicket and it is something I will always remember,” said Boult.
“The game is still balanced. The first hour tomorrow morning will be a big opportunity to go at the batsmen and get a couple of wickets.”
Fast-bowler Doug Bracewell was the other wicket-taker, having free-scoring opener Sehwag caught by Guptill at second slip.
Trent Boult
It was special to get Tendulkar out. It was a prized wicket and it is something I will always remember. The game is still balanced. The first hour tomorrow morning will be a big opportunity to go at the batsmen and get a couple of wickets.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2012.
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