Cheteshwar Pujara missed out on a well-deserved double century at Sydney when he was dismissed by Nathan Lyon on 193 in the post-lunch session on day 2.
It was a tame end to a majestic innings as Pujara hopped down the wicket and chipped an innocuous delivery straight back to Lyon who accepted the gift with glee. Pujara was only 7 runs short of what would have been his fourth double century. Out of his previous three, two had come against Australia.
But falling agonisingly short of the landmark does not make his innings any short of truly world class. Pujara has batted for more than 32 hours in this Test series, scoring over 500 runs. This is the second time in his career that he has achieved this feat against Australia making him only the fourth batsman ever to do so.
Thus, when he walked back to the pavilion without reaching the 200-run mark, everyone was left heartbroken.
Credit where it’s due. I’m getting Pujura on the back of my India shirt. Tremendous knock. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ZsrVaXvRMQ
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) January 4, 2019
#AusvInd @cheteshwar1 misses 200... pic.twitter.com/SM0e7z1T1v
— Arpit Goyal (@robin_carry) January 4, 2019
Nooooooooooo #Pujara #AUSvIND #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/FDk8o6acif
— Madhu (@KadduKittu) January 4, 2019
No !
— Keshav (@keshav4384) January 4, 2019
No way!!
Absolutely no way ?
Pujara - you deserved this double ton!
Played for 1 and half day, outstanding grit and patience!
Cheteshwar Stupendous Dependable Pujara ??✅@cheteshwar1 #AUSVIND #INDvsAUS #TeamIndia
Pujara was rightly hailed for his efforts.
Superhumane,series-sealing innings by che here
— Devesh arora (@Devesharora20) January 4, 2019
Not lying if I say I always thought he'll do well here
But the tweaks in his game have really helped him,doesn't miss out on any scoring opportunities
You don't need to have a 200 here che, already a hero.#AUSvIND
Before the series vs After the series. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/7LBr47kHxW
— Manya (@CSKian716) January 4, 2019
?????
— SPN- Sports (@SPNSportsIndia) January 4, 2019
A Test match batting masterclass from Cheteshwar Pujara comes to an end so close to a double century as he departs caught and bowled by Nathan Lyon.
Take a bow, Pujara! ?
IND 418/6 (130)
LIVE on SONY SIX and SONY TEN 3.#ChhodnaMat #AUSvIND #SPNSports
Pujara rightly got a standing ovation from the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Cheteshwar Pujara falls to a monumental 193 @scg. The knowlegeable crowd at the SCG stands in unison to cheer for a special innings. #SCGTest #PinkTest #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND #INDvsAUS #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/YFaW0accxm
— Vijay Arumugam (@vijayarumugam) January 4, 2019
Pujara's knock ensured that India, like in Melbourne, has gone well past the score of 400 in the first innings. This, in principle, puts the visitors in a commanding position - one from where they cannot lose the Test match.
Ravindra Jadeja joined Rishabh Pant at the crease following Pujara's dismissal and the wicketkeeper-batsman has since then brought up his half century to take India's score towards 500.