Five innings in 2019 that reaffirmed the quality of Test cricket

Steve Smith and Ben Stokes played two memorable knocks
Steve Smith and Ben Stokes played two memorable knocks

#4 Cheteshwar Pujara - 193 vs Australia at Sydney

Pujara was instrumental in India winning their first-ever Test series in Australian soil
Pujara was instrumental in India winning their first-ever Test series in Australian soil

In a generation of T20 cricket gaining prominence, Cheteshwar Pujara is one player who grinds his way to score runs. Just like a classic Test batsman, he plays on patience and builds a solid innings. It was one such knock in the New Year's Test at Sydney that ensured India's first ever Test series win in Australia.

With a 2-1 lead going into the match, India won the toss and chose to bat first. The plan was to bat Australia out of the game. Pujara had to survive the new ball as he walked into bat in the second over. He weathered the storm against a lethal fast bowling attack. The right-hander was even hit on his head by a bouncer from Josh Hazlewood.

The Saurashtra batsman brought up his fifty of 134 balls. He then attacked the tiring bowlers as he scored his next 50 runs in just 65 balls. On a pitch that was offering turn, Pujara used his feet to either negate turn by coming down the track or allowed it to turn by going on to the back-foot.

He went on to score 193, which helped India post a massive total of 622. Inclement weather resulted in a draw as India took home the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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Edited by Aditya Joshi
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