Australia vs India 2018-19: Cheteshwar Pujara Has Been The Difference Between The Two Teams: Virender Sehwag

Former India batsman Virender Sehwag gave his views on the third day action of the ongoing first Test against Australia in Adelaide.

India ended day three of the game firmly in the driver’s seat. The day did not start on the best of notes as rain frustrated both the teams. The action finally resumed after a 45 minute delay. Travis Head and Mitchell Starc started the proceedings with the bat, with Australia still trailing India’s first innings total of 250 by 59 runs.

The duo could add only 13 runs before Jasprit Bumrah struck to remove Starc. Head and Nathan Lyon then frustrated India for a while and also threatened to wipe off the deficit. However, before they could succeed, Mohammed Shami dismissed Head to end the 31-run stand. On the very following delivery, he sent back Josh Hazlewood to bowl out Australia for 235 and hand India a slender lead of 15 runs.

In reply, India were off to a sedate start. Murali Vijay and KL Rahul could only collect 11 runs from the first nine overs. However, Rahul soon got into groove, smashing three fours and then a superb six off Pat Cummins over cover-point as 51 runs came from the next nine overs.

Vijay was the first to depart after he scored 18. Rahul soon followed before Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli shared a 71-run stand to guide India to a strong position. Lyon then gave Australia the much-needed breakthrough by accounting for Kohli for 34.

Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane then took India to stumps with the scoreboard reading 151 for 3. India now lead Australia by 166 runs with seven wickets in hand. Following the end of the day, Virender Sehwag took to Twitter to share his views on the game. The legendary batsman said that India are on top before stating the Pujara’s performance has been the difference between the two sides so far.  The right-handed had scored 123 in the first innings and is currently unbeaten on 40.

“Good day for India, Pujara and Kohli ‘s partnership was extremely crucial. Pujara has been the difference between the two teams. A good session tomorrow morning and India will have a firm grip over this test match,” Sehwag tweeted.

Good day for India, Pujara and Kohli ‘s partnership was extremely crucial. Pujara has been the difference between the two teams. A good session tomorrow morning and India will have a firm grip over this test match #AusvInd

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 8, 2018