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Hyderabad: Cheteshwar Pujara reached the 150-run mark that helped India take their lead 74 runs on the second day of the second Test against Australia. India were 311 for 1 at stumps on second day.
Pujara scored his 150 off 230 balls with the help of 24 boundaries and a single six right after he and Murali Vijay scored tons to help India pass Australia's first innings total of 237/9.
The duo put up a scintillating 280-plus run partnership for the second wicket that helped India cross the 300-run mark after play resumed in the final session.
Pujara reached his three-figure mark in 188 balls with 14 boundaries to his credit right after he and Vijay batted with purpose in the post-lunch session as India reached 160 for one at tea.
Vijay, who scored his second Test century, looked in full flow to assert his dominance as he slammed his ton with the help of 13 boundaries and a couple of sixes.
Having scored only 49 runs in the 27 overs bowled during the first session, the two Indian batsmen came out with a far more positive approach as they smashed 106 runs in 33 overs during the post lunch session.
If the first session was about consolidation, the second session was all about attacking the visiting team bowlers.
Both Pujara and Vijay hit a flurry of boundaries with Aussie bowlers suddenly dishing out pedestrian stuff from the disciplined and accurate bowling during the first session.
While Vijay hit 10 boundaries and a six, Pujara also matched him stroke for stroke hitting James Pattinson for three boundaries in one over.
If Vijay's cover-driving was delightful to watch, Pujara standing tall and square cutting the rising deliveries outside the off-stump with a lot of ferocity.
Australia's plan to play with left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty and IPL's 'Million Dollar Boy' Glenn Maxwell didn't work well.
Both the batsmen used their feet appreciably as the spinners failed to extract any turn and bounce. The pitch was also easy for batting.
While Vijay completed his half century off 141 balls with a big six off Doherty over long-off. Pujara's 50 came off 114 balls.
For Vijay, this will be an important knock as it's only his third Test half-century in 14 matches and might prove to be consequential in helping him cement his place in the squad.
Earlier, Peter Siddle got the only breakthrough of the first session removing an out-of-form Virender Sehwag. But the pace trio of Siddle, James Pattinson and all-rounder Moises Henriques kept things under control as India went into lunch at 54 for one.
Just 23 minutes into the second day, 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's bat as Matthew Wade took the catch.
While the bowler wasn't sure, Wade and the slip cordon were confident and umpire Kumar Dharmasena raised his finger after some deliberation. Sehwag managed only 6.
The sequence of scores for Sehwag in his last 6 Test innings read: 23, 49, 0, 2, 19 and 6.
A total of 99 runs in six Test innings at a dismal average of 16.50 and certainly doesn't paint a bright picture about the veteran opener, who used to be a match-winner even 18 months back.
Brief scores
Australia 237 for 9 dec (Clarke 91, Wade 62, Jadeja 3-33, Bhuvneshar 3-53)
India 311 for 1 (Pujara 162*, Vijay 129*)
Status India lead by 74 runs
