Cheteshwar Pujara cracked one of his finest Test knocks to kick-start the Border–Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australian on Thursday (December 6), and former Aussie coach Darren Lehman rated that knock as one of the best hundreds ever in the history of Test cricket.

Lehman was highly impressed with the way Indian middle-order countered the Australia pace attack and batted in Adelaide, and his six at the end was the most impressive shot for the former Australia cricketer here.

While all top-order failed to stay in front of Australian bowlers including Captain Virat Kohli, Pujara took charge of the Indian Cricket Team in the crisis situation, batted like a monk for 380 minutes on a hot day at Adelaide Oval and notched up his third Test hundred in Australia.

The 30-year-old right-handed batsman batted brilliantly with the tail and took India to a respectable total 250 for 9 at the end of the Day 1 play against Australia.

Lehman told Sony Six on Thursday, “He [Pujara] was in second over the game. He batted right through the day. That's one of the best hundreds you'll see. To hit the night on 250, they were six for 127 at one stage. There were a couple of little partnerships. He batted well with the tail. He played his shots towards the end as well.”

He continued, “Have you seen him make a better Test hundred than that? You had all your guns - the top six got out to big drives but he just put that in his shelf until later on in the innings. I was really impressed with the six in the end. The back foot pull was memorable. It's one of the best hundreds you'll see at the Adelaide Oval.”

Commenting on Indian batting show on Day 1, he said, “India have come back, but it's a 400 wicket in the first innings. The new ball is the key for India. If India doesn't get it right with the new ball and Australia post 400, then they're behind in this [Test]. Two sides have got to bowl on it, you'll never know.”

Lehmann signed off by saying, “But at least, they have opened the door. At one stage they were 127 for 6. Australia will be little disappointed they got to 250. They would have been thinking somewhere around 200 would have been a great total to bowl India out.”

(With Sony Six Inputs)