Kumar Sangakkara thinks Cheteshwar Pujara's SCG masterclass is a great lesson to all batsmen in the series and in Tests

The past has witnessed quite a few overseas series where a single Indian player managed to leave an everlasting impression and Cheteshwar Pujara has done something similar in the ongoing series against Australia. All eyes were on skipper Virat Kohli when the series began but it would be safe to say that Pujara has stolen all the limelight for the time being. He started the series with a superb knock of 123 in Adelaide when the entire Indian batting line-up collapsed.

The ton eventually made the difference in the match as India won it by 31 runs. The right-hander had a rare failure in Perth but bounced back in style in Melbourne, scoring 106 as India won the game to take an unassailable series in the four-match series. And his stunning form continued in the ongoing fourth Test too as he scored yet another ton to put India well on top. The right-handed batsman had come to the crease very early after KL Rahul fell for just 9.

From thereon, he held his end firm and shared crucial stands with the other batsmen to lay the foundation for a big total. He ended day one of the match on 130 and started in a similar fashion on day two, looking solid as usual. Pujara was looking primed to become just the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to score a double ton at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground before being dismissed by Nathan Lyon for 193. And while he missed the well-deserved double ton by just 7 runs, the fans turned his despair into delight by giving him a rousing reception.

Sanga hails Pujara:

Pujara has been showered with praise from all over and the latest to show his admiration for India’s number three is the legendary Kumar Sangakkara. The former Sri Lanka skipper took to Twitter to hail Pujara’s gritty knock, writing: “A great lesson to all batsmen in the series and tests in general. @cheteshwar1 showing how trusting your strengths and being unashamedly dogged in technique and concentration brings great rewards.”

A great lesson to all batsmen in the series and tests in general. @cheteshwar1 showing how trusting your strengths and being unashamedly dogged in technique and concentration brings great rewards.

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) January 4, 2019

India, meanwhile, were in a good position when Pujara departed. At the time of his dismissal, the hosts were comfortably placed at 418 for 6.

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