2nd Test: Pujara’s 204 puts India in control on third day

Australia’s woes against spin-bowling continue as they trail by 192.

India maintained firm grip on the second Test against Australia as the tourists lost two quick wickets before the end of the third day in Hyderabad, still trailing by 192.

Resuming play at 311 for one, after Australia had declared 237 for nine on the previous day, Cheteshwar Pujara top-scored as he ended his fine innings on 204 with Xavier Doherty claiming the costly wicket – and a tough initiation into Test cricket – after 42.2 overs.

From then on, India suffered a collapse losing their last five wickets for just 19 runs, closing their innings at 503 to take a lead of 266 runs.

Australia began steadily scoring 56 for no loss till the knockout of David Warner and Phil Hughes left them struggling at 74 for two and 192 runs behind at stumps.

“We knew it was going to be hard,” said left-arm spinner Doherty, according to NDTV. “They’re very good players of spin. We knew it was going to be tough but it’s about grinding away. There’s still a lot of work for us to do to get ourselves back into the game.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2013.