Australia vs India 2018 | Cheteshwar Pujara | Review | Nathan Lyon
Cheteshwar Pujara. (Photo by Mark Brake - CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)

Indian top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has been the difference between the two sides so far. His priceless 123 in the first innings helped India get to 250 in the first innings. The visitors took a lead of 15 runs before heading into the second innings. The Indian openers provided a solid start, stitching a 63-run stand for the first wicket. Murali Vijay departed for 18 while KL Rahul failed to score a fifty as he scored 44 runs.

The hosts had a go at Pujara and nearly got him. While Nathan Lyon was on from one end, it seemed that Pujara got a nick to the wicket-keeper. Everyone appealed and the umpire Nigel Llong raised his finger. The batsman was quick to take a review and the decision had to be changed. It could have been a big wicket for the Aussies as the Indian middle order is shaky at the moment.

Cheteshwar Pujara gets a breather

Rishabh Pant, Australia vs India 2018
Rishabh Pant. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

India on course for a big score

The likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant didn’t do much in the first innings. Lyon has been bowling well but is still wicket-less. At lunch, the visitors were at 88/2; taking a healthy lead of 103 runs.

“The way the teammates appreciated it, they were saying it was one of the best. Sometimes when you are seeing it on TV, it doesn’t look like it is doing a lot but when I batted in the first and second sessions, I felt it wasn’t easy to bat on. I will share my experience of what line and length to bowl on this pitch with our fast bowlers,” Cheteshwar Pujara had said after scoring his hundred.

Australia vs India 2018: Watch - Cheteshwar Pujara Gets the Review Right, India Breathe Easy
Nathan Lyon in action. Source: Getty

India will pin its hope on Pujara to deliver once again. A total close to 250-300 will do a world of good for the visitors. The Aussies have been quite shaky and they will have to get their heads together and put out a plan in place.

Here is Cheteshwar Pujara’s lucky escape: