Australia vs India 4th Test Day 1: Pujara stars again as India dominate on the opening day

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Cheteshwar Pujara 130 not out Australia India 4th Test Day 1 Sydney cricket

Cheteshwar Pujara is delighted upon bringing up his 18th Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Cheteshwar Pujara struck an unbeaten 130 as India wore Australia down on the opening day of the fourth Test in Sydney.

Pujara was well supported by opener Mayank Agarwal, who scored a superb 77.

Opting to bat first, India lost Lokesh Rahul on the ninth ball of the match as he was caught by Shaun Marsh at first slip off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood for nine runs.

Agarwal and Pujara made up for the loss of Rahul with a 116-run partnership, during which Agarwal surpassed his fifty, before he was caught by Mitchell Starc at long-on off the bowling of Nathan Lyon for 77, which came off 112 balls and included seven boundaries and two sixes.

Pujara and India captain Virat Kohli kept the runs flowing with a 54-run partnership, during which Pujara brought up his half-century, before Kohli was caught behind off the bowling of Hazlewood for 23.

Ajinkya Rahane only scored 18 runs before he was caught behind off the bowling of Starc.

Despite losing Kohli and Rahane, Pujara and Hanuma Vihari ensured India ended the day on a high as they forged an unbeaten 75-run partnership before stumps was called.

Pujara finished on 130, which came off 250 balls and included 16 boundaries, while Vihari remained undefeated on 39, which came off 58 deliveries and included five boundaries.

Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Starc and Lyon claimed one wicket each.

India ended day one on 303/4 and will continue batting on Friday at 10:30 local time or 23:30 GMT (the previous day).

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