HYDERABAD, August 23:
At stumps, Pujara, playing his fourth Test, remained undefeated on 119 with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (29) giving him good support as the duo added 47 for the unbroken sixth wicket partnership.
Pujara, who has long been considered having the requisite game to replace Dravid, showed that he has the right technique and temperament to succeed at the international level.
India had a brisk start when the opening duo of Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag added 49 runs for the first wicket after Dhoni elected to bat after winning the toss.
But the duo perished to some reckless shots as left-arm seamer Trent Boult gave New Zealand the first breakthrough in the form of Gambhir who chased an outgoing delivery to be caught behind for 22.
Sehwag, after getting a reprieve on 35, also failed to convert a fine start being dismissed for a 41-ball 47.
Seniormost player Sachin Tendulkar, also did not last long after being castled for 19 as it was left for young guns Pujara and Virat Kohli (58) to put their hand up and be counted.
They did not disappoint during their stand of 125 runs for the fifth wicket which was also entertaining due to some fine strokemaking by the duo.
Pujara’s innings was all about patience and perseverance.
Displaying a wide array of strokes during his near chanceless innings, Pujara revelled in the role of a sheet anchor.
The youngster had the esteemed company of the world’s leading scorer Tendulkar but the partnership didn’t last long as the legendary batsman was bowled through the gate.
India were in a spot at 125 for three before Kohli-Pujara duo bailed the team out.
After Tendulkar’s departure, the second session was all about consolidating and it yielded 85 runs from 29 overs, while in the last session they took charge on Kiwi bowlers.
Boult tested Pujara giving room and the right-hander relished them as he hit the left-arm pacer for three boundaries in an over, forcing the visitors to try something new in part-time offie Kane Williamson.
The result was no different as Pujara spanked the bowler over long-on for a maximum, the first of the day.
The frustration was clearly evident on the Kiwis as the skipper Taylor gave Kohli a reprieve on 46, failing to get hold of a catch at the first slip.
Pujara’s shots, meanwhile, saw him get past his previous best — a matchwinning 72 vs Australia in his debut Test in October 2010, while Kohli too got to a stroke-filled half-century.
Luck however did not favour Kohli for long as a rash shot cost him his wicket after being caught at the second slip by Guptill for 58.
But Pujara, batting on 95, kept his cool as he proceeded towards coveted Test century. He reached 99 with a shot that bisected the point region fetching him a boundary.
He played sensibly and his first century was just a matter of time and he went on to complete the mark in 169 balls (14×4, 1×6) neatly tapping a James Franklin delivery to fine leg for a single.
Skipper Dhoni, who was given a rapturous welcome by the 15,207-strong crowd, acknowledged the gesture hitting Patel for a six over long in the very seventh ball he faced.
Dhoni scored at brisk pace and intelligently rotated the strike, giving bulk of the deliveries to a well-set Pujara.
Pujara got a lucky reprieve on 117 when Aussie umpire Steve Davis ruled out a huge appeal of caught behind.
The replays showed that the ball kissed the gloves on the way to wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk but umpire Steve Davis had other ideas. (PTI)
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