Australia vs India 2018-19, 1st Test: 5 Talking Points from Day 1

#1 Pujara's 'Resistance' keeps India in the game

Cheteshwar Pujara

India scored 250 runs on Day 1, as ten batsmen got chances at the middle. Nine batsmen scored a total of 126 runs. One run was an extra, from a leg-bye. The remainder? Cheteshwar Pujara, ladies and gentlemen.

Nothing short of the phrase "class act" would describe the man's outstanding show today. While the rest of India's willow-wielders were needlessly poking for drives and giving the viewers an excess of facepalm moments, Pujara taught us how important the other No.1 rule in Test batting is - stick around for enough time, runs will eventually fall into place.

Pujara's score was 11(45) when India lost its fourth wicket at 41 runs. In the 209 runs added afterwards for another four wickets, 112 belonged to the Saurashtra stalwart. One may immediately remember his stint at Southampton from earlier this year, which happened in a similar scenario - hanging on while the rest of the main guys fell into well-set traps, and afterwards let himself a bit more freely, with the tailenders to partner him.

As the day progressed, the pitch became flatter, birthing better conditions to bat on. And the way Pujara held firm with no one but just the likes of Ashwin, Ishant and Shami, highlights India's first session failure in a more glaring fashion. On a pitch where the new ball moves well, India "drove" themselves into a wall instead of picking up on Pujara's methods. They simply gave away their wickets, showing a clear disrespect for the conditions at play.

Pujara struck 7 fours and 2 sixes during his 246-ball stay at the middle. He forged vital stands with Rohit Sharma for the fifth wicket (45), Rishabh Pant for the sixth (41), Ashwin for the seventh (62), and with Shami for the ninth wicket (40).

He departed in the very last ball of the day, trying to sneak in a single before the over concluded so that he will come in strike in the next over - when a brilliant run-oit hampered his plans. Despite the minor debacle, Pujara can go back with his head held high, his monumental knock keeping India's hopes alive in the upcoming days.