Hyderabad: A record 370-run second wicket partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay gave India a lead of 266 runs against Australia on the third day of second Test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Monday.
Pujara raced to his second Test hundred while Vijay crossed the 150 mark, which ensured India a huge lead as the hosts finished their first innings on 503 runs.
Pujara and Vijay dominated the proceedings in such a manner that India managed to cross the 500 mark despite losing the last nine wickets over just a 100 runs (116).
Later, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, India managed to scalp the wickets of David Warner (26) and Phillip Hughes (0) to put Australia on back-foot as the visitors were on 74 for two in their second innings. Both Warner and Hughes got out in the same fashion as they tried to sweep Ashwin’s deliveries, which pitched on the leg-stump.
Australia were 192 runs behind the hosts and would now require a miracle to save the match against Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Co.
Earlier Pujara and Vijay gave no respite to the Aussie bowlers even on the third day as the Pujara went on to score his double hundred while Vijay too reached the 150-run mark. Vijay hit 23 boundaries and two sixes in his 361-ball knock while Pujara's knock was laced with 30 boundaries and a six.
However, once the Pujara-Vijay partnership was broken, India lost wickets in regular intervals, with the last six batsmen falling for only 43 runs. Except for skipper Dhoni, who played a cameo, smashing 44 off 43 balls, none managed to occupy the crease for long.
Debutant all-rounder Maxwell was the most successful bowler, grabbing four for 127.
By ISN