India vs Australia: 'Classy, resilient, tenacious', twitter salutes Cheteshwar Pujara for brilliant ton on Day 1

Cheteshwar Pujara defied Australia’s bowling attack and overcame stifling conditions at the Adelaide Oval with a century on the opening day of the first Test on Thursday.

India was in danger of being bowled out cheaply after reckless batting in the opening two sessions, but Pujara scored 123 runs as India reached stumps at 250 for 9.

The 30-year-old notched his 16th century and also passed 5,000 test runs. Just before the close, Pujara was run out by a direct hit from Pat Cummins to end his 246-ball innings.

Pujara played with the determination and patience lacking from the rest of India’s specialist batsmen. He found willing support through Ravichandran Ashwin (25) as the pair combined for a 62-run seventh-wicket partnership.

The twitteratti showered glowing praise on India’s solid number three for he stood tall and remained defiant in his knock of 123 to help India recover from a precarious position. Here is a look at some of the reactions:

‘That’s how its done’

Honorary Yorkshireman, Che “Steve” Pujara, shows ‘em how it’s done lad! #AusvInd

— mark butcher (@markbutcher72) December 6, 2018

‘Value him’

Hats off to Pujara for grinding his way to a hundred. He has been a fantastic asset to the side, despite all the troubles caused to him by dropping him a few times. He is an old fashioned batsman, value him because he could well be the last of those kinds #cricket #AusvInd

— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579) December 6, 2018

Amongst Australia’s dominance on Day 1, @cheteshwar1 has stood tall with a very fine 💯. Aust have bowled exceptionally well in severe heat! #AusvInd

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 6, 2018

Old virtues, gold standards!

Wonderful wonderful innings from Cheteshwar Pujara. Classy, resilient, tenacious....all these old-world virtues. This was the gold standard of test match batting.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 6, 2018

Second name on the team sheet?

Pujara with 2 of the best centuries of 2018. Hope no one questions his place in the team again.

— Nitin Sundar🎙️✒️🎦 (@knittins) December 6, 2018

Nine wickets fell in the day, but Pujara ends up dominating the Aussie bowlers

Pujara wasn’t a part of the build-up narrative....India or Australia. It’s only fair that he dominates the first day of this #AusvInd Test series. Love it.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 6, 2018

Measurably so. Six batsmen faced 176 balls for 81 runs. Che 240 faced for 111 as of now. "Aggression" is not flaying at everything in sight.

— Prem Panicker (@prempanicker) December 6, 2018

So what did he have?

Pujara walks into a bar

"I'll have what they're not having"#AusvInd

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) December 6, 2018

Concentration level = Monk mode!

Sterling century by @cheteshwar1, among the best he’s played as also among the best by an Indian batsman in Australia. Heavy duty concentration, application and commitment in stark contrast to the airy-fairy profligacy of the others. Kudos! #PujaraCentury #IndiavsAus

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 6, 2018

Patience is the virtue of batting in a Test in Australia

Great stuff from Pujara - reminiscent of the way he eased through the gears at Southampton in September

— Scott Redler  (@RedDogT73) December 6, 2018

You be the judge?

Pujara’s best Test knock yet? #AUSvIND?

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) December 6, 2018

With inputs from AP