Last Update on: September 30th, 2018 at 10:36 pm
Recently updated on September 30th, 2018 at 10:36 pm
Cheteshwar Pujara scored a brilliant century to help India recover from a middle-order collapse and post 273 in the first innings of the fourth England vs India Test.
India started the proceedings on 19 for no loss, trailing England’s first innings total of 246 by 227 runs. It was a mixed first session for the visitors. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul could add only 18 runs to the overnight score before Stuart Broad accounted for the latter.
13 runs later, Broad struck again to remove Dhawan and put India on the backfoot. However, before the hosts could make further inroads in the game, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli steadied the ship. The two added 50 runs before the umpires signalled lunch. They batted in the same manner after the lunch too and looked set to bat India to a position of strength.
However, before the two could take the match away from the hosts, Sam Curran dismissed Kohli to end the stand that was worth 92 runs. Kohli departed after scoring 46. Ajinkya Rahane also could not last long and returned to the pavilion after scoring 11.
From thereon, England continued to take wickets at regular intervals.
Rishabh Pant (0) and Hardik Pandya (4) disappointed with the bat as India found themselves reeling at 189 for 6. R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami fell cheaply too with the scoreboard reading 195 for 8. At that stage, it looked like India would end up giving England a handy lead. However, Pujara held firm from one end, scoring a fine ton and shared handy stands with Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah to take India past England’s first innings total.
Pujara went on to finish on132 not out as Broad ended his stubborn stand with Bumrah by dismissing the latter. India finished their innings on 273.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India’s innings:
Determined @cheteshwar1 was a joy to watch. Crucial innings… match wide open… #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/n1unlYpgjl
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 31, 2018
Love the way @cheteshwar1 plays … !!! He plays Test cricket how it should be played … #ENGvIND … Fantastic 💯
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 31, 2018
India now lead by more than the series average of both Cook & Jennings #ENGvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) August 31, 2018
Dropped from the side. Came back as an opener on a green SSC pitch. Scored a ton. Carried his bat.
Dropped for Edgbaston. Scores a 50
In Nottingham. A ton here.
Why does Pujara get dropped in the first place?? #EngvInd— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 31, 2018
Well done @cheteshwar1 top inn.. well deserved 100 👏👏 #ENGvIND 4th Test
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 31, 2018
Well done on your #100 @cheteshwar1 solid knock that 👏👏 #ENGvsIND
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 31, 2018
Gujju boys fighting against England in 1947 vs Gujju boys fighting against England in 2018. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/fOv21QJ8iA
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) August 31, 2018
Take a bow @cheteshwar1, this century is as splendid and important as any you’ll ever play! 👏👏👏
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/CricCrazyNIKS/status/1035562284955750400
Pandya ko batting#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/xSzHOvsbUc
— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) August 31, 2018
Kaafi kuch badal gaya 2014 se, except Moeen Ali's habit of taking wickets against India.
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) August 31, 2018
Good lord, Indian batsmen suddenly losing the plot! That reverse sweep was totally unnecessary by Ashwin. Harakiri in fact when he should have been supporting Pujara in quest of meaningful lead. And Shami falls next ball, Moeen is on a hat-trick & India in dire trouble
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 31, 2018
29-ball duck for Pant. Crazy Test cricket at times. Pujara key and India ahead only if they take a lead here.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) August 31, 2018
Youngest bowlers to dismiss Virat Kohli in Tests:
Alzarri Joseph 19y and 263d
Jubair Hossain 19y and 271d
SAM CURRAN 20y and 88d#EngvInd— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 31, 2018
6000 Test runs for our own run machine @imVkohli way to go champion👏👏👏✅…keep going 💪 #EngvsIndia 4th Test
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 31, 2018
England, meanwhile, lead the England vs India series 2-1.
