Sehwag, Pietersen Pay Tribute After Another Pujara Masterclass

Another Test, another century from Cheteshwar Pujara dominated the talk on Twitter as India ended Day One of the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground at 303 for 4 and in control. It was the first time a side posted 300 on board on the first day of a Test in the current series, which further illustrates how good the batting was from the tourists.

Easily India’s best batting display over the last year odd. Pujara the fulcrum (and hero) with important contributions from Agarwal and Vihari. Kolhi and Rahane missed out on big scores after getting starts, but team in strong position to dictate match

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 3, 2019

Cheteshwar Pujara the difference between the two teams. #class #AUSvIND @cheteshwar1 — Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 3, 2019

The RESPECT you get as a cricketer for what @cheteshwar1 is doing in TEST CRICKET, is GREATER than any wonderfully skilful T20 innings.

Youngsters - look, learn & listen!

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) January 3, 2019

Zindagi na milegi Pujara. Brilliant to watch the determination and the consistency has been amazing. Congratulations @cheteshwar1 on your third hundred of the series. — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 3, 2019

Stand and applaud @cheteshwar1 another brilliant innings and he does not look satisfied ♂️ wants 200

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) January 3, 2019

One can only admire & applaud your resilience, grit & concentration @cheteshwar1 . Scoring 3 centuries in a series down under is an achievement and in context to the situation in each match, your contribution easily remains unmatched for some time to come . #pujara #AUSvIND — Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) January 3, 2019

Earlier in the day, having opted to bat first, the away side would have hoped for a good start but it wasn’t to be as KL Rahul was out caught in the slips, early in the piece.

Lovely first wicket of 2019 from Hazlewood. A phenomenal bowler... and perhaps the single most underrated bowler in the world. Fast, accurate, moves the ball, perfect lengths. He's like a better version of Clint McKay #AUSvIND

— Jack Mendel (@Mendelpol) January 2, 2019

There’s something of the tentativeness of a Gambhir at the end of his career about KL Rahul. #AusvInd — Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) January 2, 2019

The Australians went after the in-form Mayank Agarwal with some short stuff but to the credit of the Indian opener, he came out triumph.

Took Australia 12 overs to realise it’s worthwhile exploring Mayank Agarwal’s back foot play on this pitch.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 3, 2019

Mayank Agarwal has changed his approach slightly. In the first innings at Melbourne, when he made 76, 14% of the deliveries he faced from seamers were left alone. Today, that figure has lifted to 23%. #AUSvIND — The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) January 3, 2019

Agarwal took Lyon on and hit him for a couple of sixes before falling short trying to go for another one.

Mayank Agarwal will be disappointed with the ending but was a fine innings from him till then. Looks assured and did a reasonably good job against the bouncer barrage too.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 3, 2019

Mayank Agarwal did all the hard work. He survived the first hour of play even through there was excess short ball barrage. He got 2 sixes in two consecutive overs but then he decides to give it away. Misses out on what would have been a fine 100. A learning nevertheless #AUSvIND — Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) January 3, 2019

Virat Kohli showed his support for the 'Pink Test' by using bat and gloves with a pink tinge on it when he came out to bat. He looked assured before getting out caught down the leg side of the bowling of Hazlewood.

Lots of respect for @imVkohli supporting the @McGrathFdn with pink stickers on bat and pink on his batting gloves. #AUSvIND #PinkTest

— Jason Gillespie (@dizzy259) January 3, 2019

Virat Kohli @imVkohli showing his passionate support for the McGrath Foundation with his pink bat and gloves What. A. Legend!#pinktest #IndianCricketTeam #AUSvsIND #itsyourpinktest pic.twitter.com/Vpqeui7MGw — McGrath Foundation (@McGrathFdn) January 3, 2019

This is how Kohli got his 2019 going but India would have wished for more from him as always.

Virat Kohli at his very best for the Shot of the Day!#AUSvIND | @MastercardAU pic.twitter.com/lBeGXOjo8v

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2019

Cheteshwar Pujara though carried on his good form, notching up more than 400 runs, bringing up his third Test ton in the series.

Heartiest Congratulations @cheteshwar1 3 hundreds and just the way he has batted on this tour.. Standout — Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) January 3, 2019

On India' last tour to Australia (2014-15), Pujara was dropped from playing XI of the 4th Test at SCG.

On this tour, he crafts a brilliant ton in the 4th Test at SCG to take India close to historic series win.

WHAT. A. TURNAROUND.#AUSvIND

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) January 3, 2019

Calmness while batting, calmness in celebration. Pujara stands out in today’s frenetic world as he has done in this series.#AusvIndia — Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 3, 2019

The wall stands tall. #ChereshwarPujara

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) January 3, 2019

Pujaraaaa bolo tara rara @cheteshwar1 3 hundreds in last 3 games in australia.. what a player @BCCI #AUSvIND 4th test — Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 3, 2019

Yet another Test Match, yet another marvellous innings from Pujara. Many congratulations on the 18th Test hundred. Has been a delight to watch you bat, @cheteshwar1 ! pic.twitter.com/dxTiaidSYc

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 3, 2019

Back at Number 6 since KL Rahul was back at the top, Hanuma Vihari played himself in and also played a few shots to give Pujara good company to see through the day.

Vihari is very much suited for batting in the middle order. I hope they won't ask him to open again #AUSvIND — Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) January 3, 2019

Classy from @cheteshwar1 rock solid as always, @mayankcricket played well... @Hanumavihari is looking extremely confident as #TeamIndia ends day 1 at 303/4 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/86U1DVt7Nq

— K Vishwanth (@vishwanth_views) January 3, 2019

Cheteshwar Pujara. Remember the name. — Sidvee (@sidvee) January 3, 2019