Hyderabad: Unbeaten centuries by Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara have put India on top against Australia on the second day of the second Test being held at Hyderabad on Sunday. Vijay and Pujara added 294 runs for the second wicket to take India 311/1, giving the hosts a 74-run lead with nine wickets remaining in the first innings.
Losing Virender Sehwag early, Pujara joined Vijay and the two reconstructed the Indian innings slowly but steadily. Pujara (162 batting) scored his fourth Test hundred and while Vijay (129 batting) cruised to his second ton as India took control of the second Test on day two.
The 294-run partnership was also the highest second wicket partnership against Australia, the previous one (224) being held by Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath.
Earlier, Pujara and Vijay took a slow approach as they scored only 49 runs in the 27 overs but the two duo shifted gear in the later sessions as they smashed 257 runs to take the score to 311. Once they found their feet, there was no looking back for the Indians as Pujara and Vijay showed no mercy to the loose balls and scored a flurry of boundaries against the Aussies.
Earlier, Peter Siddle got the only breakthrough of the first session removing an out-of-form Virender Sehwag. Sehwag was dismissed by Siddle with a rising delivery. The pacer hit three-quarter length and got the ball to rear up awkwardly and also moved a shade kissing the edge of Sehwag’ bat as Matthew Wade took the catch.
By Indian Sports News Network
Vijay struck 17 boundaries and two sixes in 288 balls while Pujara hit 25 boundaries and also hooked Peter Siddle for a six to bring up his 150 having faced 251 balls in the process.