Test cricket’s poster boy! Twitter lauds Pujara for ton at MCG

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara continued his purple patch in the tour of Australia as he produced his second hundred of the series at MCG. Pujara’s solid and patient inning allowed India to post a mammoth total and dictate terms in the Boxing Day Test. Pujara was appreciated by former and current cricketers and fans for his gritty performance.

Pujara does it, Once again!

After India decided to play a make-shift opening pair at the MCG, it was obvious that the middle-order had an added responsibility on their shoulders.

Since 1 Jan 2017, Cheteshwar Pujara is the only batsman to face over 4000 balls in Test cricket!
He has so far faced 4633 balls in 40 innings i.e. facing an ave of 116 balls per innings.
Next best: 3796 balls in 39 innings by Virat Kohli (ave balls/inns: 97)#AusvInd#AusvsInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 27, 2018

And India’s number 03 batsman stood up and took the proceedings in his hand. Pujara batted with solid control on the first day and kept Patt Cummins at bay who was steaming in.

On the second day, the Indian batsman added valuable runs for the team and ensured Nathan Lyon remained ineffective. The right-hand batsman completed his hundred off 280 balls, his slowest of all 17 Test hundreds to stamp his dominance.

https://twitter.com/doorvadal/status/1078194517235265536

Pujara perished soon after completing his hundred, but by then the damage was already done and Australia were staring at a mammoth first-innings total.

Twitter in awe of Pujara’s brilliant performance

The Indian batsman yet again showcased his immense temperament and ability to bat for longer periods which has become a rarity in modern cricket.

Twitter was full of praise for the right-hand batsman as expressed their delight on the social media platform.

I think @cheteshwar1 wanted to prove a point on this tour and has come up with two centuries so far, both gems. Fantastic! ??

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 27, 2018

Pujara Pathway of patience ? ? https://t.co/vJjwYZ0kUi

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) December 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/ImSabirAliPTI/status/1078109303272325120

Brilliant ? from @cheteshwar1 yet again. Second of the series and 17th overall. It's fair and wise to call him 'The poster boy' for Test Match cricket in India and the world. Classic textbook batsmanship. #AUSvIND

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) December 27, 2018

Congrats Cheteshwar Pujara for hitting a ton ..Keep the flag high for India pic.twitter.com/tuTlIThIkE

— Chowkidar Praveen Singh (@praveen2b2) December 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/sahil_vachheta/status/1078135158979452929

The rock gets another! Played @cheteshwar1 ?!! #AUSvIND

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) December 27, 2018

He reminds me of a sage who has surrendered to Test cricket and batting long hours without worrying about wage packets so many earn in the IPL .Test cricket seems to respect loyalists like him! #cheteshwarpujara

— shishir hattangadi (@shishhattangadi) December 27, 2018

Another fantastic ? from @cheteshwar1 ??

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) December 27, 2018

Another one from @cheteshwar1 Brilliant stuff! 17 now, equals VVS and Vengsarkar. Has batted more than 47 overs till now, salute ✌? #AUSvIND #INDvAUS #CheteshwarPujara

— Ateet Sharma (@Ateet_Sharma) December 27, 2018

I know @cheteshwar1 hasn't played much gully cricket but that defence ??

Reminds me of the 'Dead Defence' we played on the terrace as youngsters.

Only difference he's doing that to 150kmph deliveries. #cheteshwarpujara #solidasarock #PuntItLikePujara

— Gautam Bajpai (@GautamBajpai) December 26, 2018

Beautiful, controlled, well-placed, sweetly timed shot to get to a hundred. Cheteshwar Pujara, take a bow. #AUSvIND

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) December 27, 2018

India take control on day two at Melbourne 

The solid foundation laid by Pujara’s marvelous hundred has allowed India to take control of the third Test. courtesy of the fifties by Mayank Agarwal. Kohli and Rohit Sharma India posted a score of 443 runs.

Also read: AUS commentator ridicules India’s domestic cricket, gets trolled

The Melbourne wicket which looked flat on day one has started showing signs of deterioration. Some balls have kept low and there is rough as well which enables the visitors to believe that they have more than a chance to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy after this Test.