Pujara, Cummins leave Test on even footing

India 360 for 6 (Pujara 130*, Saha 18*, Cummins 4-59) trail Australia 451 (Smith 178*, Maxwell 104, Jadeja 5-124) by 91 runs
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Cheteshwar Pujara’s century was the first for India in the series © Associated Press

Pat Cummins and Cheteshwar Pujara fought an absorbing duel for supremacy in Ranchi on a day when nothing came easily for either side. Australia sought to squeeze India’s first innings with tight bowling throughout and Cummins’ impact bursts, but by the close Pujara had inched the hosts to within 91 of their opponents’ tally.

Nearly six years after his debut Test against South Africa in Johannesburg, Cummins bowled spells of the highest quality with both new and old ball, claiming the wickets of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and R Ashwin, the latter with a pair of prancing short deliveries. Josh Hazlewood supported him gamely, but admiration for Cummins’ work was mixed with concern for how his body will recover from these exertions given he was rushed into the team after just one Sheffield Shield match.

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Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.


Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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