Saturday, March 23, 2013

India reach 135 for two at tea

NEW DELHI, March 23, 2013 PTI





Murali Vijay continued with his fine form against Australia as his impressive half century and a solid opening stand with Cheteshwar Pujara took India to 135 for two at tea on the second day of the fourth and final cricket Test against Australia here on Saturday..



India are now 127 runs behind Australia's first innings score of 262.



At the break, Vijay was batting on 54 in company of Sachin Tendulkar, who survived a few anxious moments including a strong leg before appeal to remain unbeaten on 12.



Vijay has faced 114 balls so far hitting eight boundaries in the process.



For Australia, the post—lunch session turned out to be a productive one with Nathan Lyon accounting for both Pujara (52) and Virat Kohli (1).



The makeshift opening stand of Pujara (52) and Vijay yielded 108 runs in 25 overs.



At the beginning of the innings, Pujara played a majestic backfoot cover drive off Pattinson after Vijay opened his account with a streaky boundary past the slip cordon.



Pattinson drifted one onto Pujara's pads and the batsman promptly got his second boundary. Then came the best shot of the morning session as Pujara hit left—arm pacer Mitchell Johnson for a straight drive.



The three boundaries gave Pujara confidence to get off the blocks. Vijay also joined forces as he elegantly played Pattinson through the wide mid—on area.



The first five overs of the innings produced 34 runs and it looked as if Vijay and Pujara are in a mood to get 'ready' for the Indian Premier League which is scheduled to start in 10 days time. The 50—run partnership was completed in the 10th over.



The Kotla track, which has already come under much criticism, was slowly turning from bad to worse as a number of deliveries bowled by Johnson from the Old Club House end started keeping low.



If it created a bit of problem for batsmen, the low bounce meant that the edges did not carry to the glovesman Matthew Wade and the fielders stationed in the slip cordon.



Pujara was finally dismissed after completing a well deserved half—century. Facing a Lyon delivery, Pujara played for the turn but the ball went straight to hit the off—stump.



Pujara faced 76 balls and hit five boundaries in the process.



Virat Kohli also did not stay for long as Lyon trapped him plumb—in—front for one.



Around 1:25 pm, Tendulkar walked out amid a standing ovation from the 20,000—odd weekend crowd and got off the mark off the 10th delivery that he faced.



Earlier, Australia folded their first inning on 262 after adding 31 runs to their overnight total of 231 for eight.



Peter Siddle completed his maiden Test fifty but was done in by a straighter from Ravichandran Ashwin who completed his fourth five—wicket haul in the series. Siddle scored 51 off 136 balls with four boundaries.



Ashwin finished with figures of five for 57 in 34 overs.



The Australian innings lasted just over 14 overs as Pattinson's (30) dogged resistance ended with Pragyan Ojha getting his 100th Test wicket.



Ojha completed the feat in his 22nd Test, becoming the third fastest Indian to reach the milestone after Erapalli Prasanna (20 Tests) and Anil Kumble (21 Tests).
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com

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