"Pant and Pujara are the Sehwag-Dravid of 2000s" - Fans applaud duo for taking India to safety on Day 3 of 5th Test vs England
Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant helped Team India close out Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test without any more casualties. The pair have put on an unbeaten partnership of 50 off 91 deliveries following Virat Kohli's dismissal in the final session on Sunday.
The pair disrupted the England bowling unit with their own contrasting styles. Pujara held the fort while opening the innings, tiring the bowlers out while nursing a blow to his finger.
Pant, on the other hand, who came into bat with India precariously perched at 75-3, began his knock the same way he left things in the first innings. The wicket-keeper batter got off to a bright start, scoring three boundaries in no time.
Pujara recorded his 33rd Test fifty in the final over of the day and helped India attain a sizeable lead of 257 runs heading into Day 4.
The duo have shared some memorable partnerships, with bowlers often finding it hard to match their distinct batting styles. While the runs they scored together in Australia rank high in the pile, their latest unbeaten adventure in England could prove to be a worthy addition.
Here are some of the reactions to the crucial partnership:
Pujara - Pant last five partnerships
@cheteshwar1 🤝🏻 @RishabhPant17
53, 148, 61, 119, 50*
#ENGvIND https://t.co/ZQIvKoEEck
There comes the deadly pair. The pair of Pujara-Pant.
A blessing to Test Cricket.
Pant and Pujara in Tests is like two eras playing together. Great fun to watch. Nice to see Pujara getting his eye in once again but need bigger numbers from a player of his stature. But let's get to 50 first. #ENGvsIND
You may not like Pant.
You may not like Pujara.
Happens.
But you definitely like Pujara-Pant partnerships.
Wonderful 50 from Pujara! As usual keep taking the Bowls and Keep Scoring the Important Runs with Pant #IndvsEng
Best partnership averages in SENA involving a wicketkeeper.
Last four years (400+ runs):
94.37 Mitchell/Blundell
66.42 Pujara/Pant
54.60 Pant/Jadeja
Song of ice and fire #Pujara #Pant
#INDvENG https://t.co/X0U6qQpToR
Notice the strike rotation between Rishsbh Pant & Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli & Punjara were playing too many dots.
#IndvENg #IndvsEng
Been noticing this in last few Test series that India played, looks like Pujara and Pant really enjoy each other's company in the middle. Perfect combo of fire and ice.
#ENGvIND
Pujara and Pant's partnerships are always iconic
Pant Pujara partnership is special always. Really good memories many times.
There is a nice ring to Pujara and Pant's partnerships in India's second innings in overseas Tests 💙
#INDvsENG #Cricket #CricketTwitter
Test cricket at its best
Pujara and Pant batting
Root's over
Wow!!
#ENGvIND
Pant and Pujara is everything that modern day test cricket stands for.
It's the most beautiful thing ❤️
Pant & Pujara are the Sehwag-Dravid of 2000s. Love watching such contrasting batsmen bat together.
Watching Pujara and Pant bat together is so wildly weird.
Pujara marks his comeback with a valuable fifty
Dropped from the Indian team for the home series against Sri Lanka, Pujara embarked on a stint with Sussex, where he piled on runs. The batter earned his recall for the rescheduled Test, but his services were required in an unfamiliar position.
Following Rohit Sharma's absence, the 34-year-old was asked to open the innings alongside Shubman Gill. He scored 13 in the first innings before falling victim to James Anderson. However, he made amends in the second by carefully assessing the conditions and taking his time to settle.
In the last hour of play, the veteran batter took a back seat and allowed the final session to run its course with Rishabh Pant assuming control.
Earlier, India overcame a blistering hundred by Jonny Bairstow to seize a 132 run lead ahead of their second innings. The visitors lost Shubman Gill in the first over while Hanuma Vihari and Virat Kohli too departed after spending some time at the crease.
Finishing the day at 125-3 after 53 overs, India are in the driver's seat but England's recent exploits in the fourth innings against New Zealand will be on everybody's minds.