Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara: Same pair bats, five wickets apart

Dhawan and Pujara: Same pair bats, five wickets apart

The day three of the India and Australia Test at Brisbane last week ended with India at 71 for one, with Shikhar Dhawan batting along with Cheteshwar Pujara. Both were looking steady at the crease and many fans slept peacefully at night, anticipating a good fight back the next morning.

As usual the match telecast for the fourth day began early morning in India. Fans who turned on their television sets an hour late were literally shocked to see the scorecard.

The batsmen on the crease were the overnight Dhawan and Pujara, but to their horror – the scoreboard said 117 for six! How was it possible?

Here’s what happened – Dhawan got injured at the net session on day four and as a result couldn’t walk in to bat. As a result Virat Kohli walked out to bat with Pujara. What followed was a batting collapse; India went on to lose five wickets in less than 11 overs in the first session. While Pujara looked steady at one end, India lost the wickets of Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin. At 117 for six, Dhawan walked out to resume his overnight innings.

Dhawan went on to score a fighting 81, as India folded for 224. Australia went on to win the Test by four wickets.