In reply to Australia’s first innings score of 338, India was bundled out for 244 in their first innings, handing Australia a healthy 94 first-innings lead.
India crumbled for just 244 on the flat Sydney track. After Cheteshwar Pujara's wicket, India's lower order skittled for under 50 runs and the visitors conceded a significant 94-run lead.
India’s no.3, Cheteshwar Pujara, looked like he had regained some form back after a string of low scores in the series. He scored his slowest fifty in Test cricket, consuming 174 balls to get to the landmark before he was undone by crackerjack of a delivery bowled by Pat Cummins on Day 3.
His knock was the slowest half-century of Pujara's Test career and the batsman took a truckload of criticism for it. He was criticized for his 'reactive' approach which puts pressure on his batting partner.
Former Indian cricketer, Mohammed Kaif, defended Pujara’s approach in the Sydney test, asking people not to criticize and stop talking about his scoring approach in the Sydney Test.
The former also pointed out that Pujara was one of India's mainstays, and came to Australia after 9 months of no cricket and that he is a test specialist not a slog over white-ball cricketer.
“Will this Test go the distance? Did India need to score quickly and declare? Pujara came to Australia after 9 months of no cricket. Have a heart, please don't talk about slow rate, remember this is Test cricket not slog overs of a white ball contest” Mohammed Kaif tweeted.
Being criticized for his slow batting on day 3, Pujara said despite the fact that he got out at the wrong time, he was confident during his stay on the pitch.
"The way I was batting today, I was really confident. The way I got out today, I have to accept that. I could not have done anything better, I would rather focus on the things I need to do as a batsman. I just have to bat in the manner I know to bat, even as a batting unit, you need to build partnerships and bat well as a unit.” said Cheteshwar Pujara.
