Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Image credit: Getty Images

A day that belonged to Australia, with one man from the opposition making it a contest.

Much was documented before the series about how both sides will fare, with India promising fearless and aggressive cricket in their quest to pick up their first ever series win in Australia.

Josh Hazlewood, Australia Vice-Captain, cheekily warned India about turning up to the show with a one-man band. Instead of Virat Kohli, it was Cheteshwar Pujara who stood tall, and showed that gritty, traditional Test match batting still has a place in the white-ball era.

For the hosts Australia, it was a terrific performance with the ball. Facing 40 degree heat and a pretty flat Adelaide track, a score of 250/9 is one Tim Paine would have taken at the toss. So, just how good was Pujara today in denying Australia further dominance?

It was simply shambolic stuff by India in the first hour of a Test match. It was almost as if they were too pumped, thinking that the best way to impose themselves on this series is by not even thinking about giving an hour or two to the bowling side. Loose drives, poor footwork and a lack of temperament hurt India badly early on, which was the worst possible start to a huge series. If India fans back home wanted to go back to bed in the early hours of the morning, no one could have blamed them.

India might feel they are well in this game with 250 on a fast-drying surface, but this is still an opportunity missed. India’s disappointing record in SENA over the last few years can be contributed more to their lack of ability to win the key moments, as opposed to lack of talent, of which they have in abundance. Temperatures hit 40+ in Adelaide. Australia chose four front line bowlers. The pitch was to dry quickly, and Australia to bat last. So, why did India approach their innings so recklessly, instead of wearing the Aussies down?

This is where Cheteshwar Pujara was superb. He showed that it is acceptable to give an hour or two to the bowling side, even with little runs, with the goal of cashing in a little later. Much has been documented about his disappointing record in SENA, but there is little doubt that this was an innings worthy of his temperament. ESPNCricinfo’s Andrew McGlashan rightly pointed out that a Pujara net session won’t go viral, but now he is the talk of the town. He didn’t score a single run in the first 55 minutes of his partnership with Rohit Sharma, who goes to bed tonight with the biggest egg on his face. Rohit Sharma played the gorgeous shots, but Pujara is the one praised.

Cheteshwar Pujara dug deep (AAP)

“It is easy to play shots. When you start playing shots [during a testing spell], that means your game is not capable enough to play the Test format. You are trying to survive there rather than just understand the situation and play accordingly. When you start playing shots, it means you are under pressure as a batsman, and you are not able to handle that situation. When you defend confidently, you know you are in command, you are on top of the bowler, and he doesn’t have a chance to get you out. You will ultimately score runs when he bowls a loose ball.” – Cheteshwar Pujara

See what Test Cricket is about?

Pujara’s 50 was brought up in 153 balls, undeterred by periods of low scoring. In the age of big hitting and T20 contracts, Pujara’s desire to leave the ball and pay respect to a fine Australian attack is something that the other Indian batsmen need to take note of if they are to win this series. The Indians need remind themselves that intent is not only big shots, but also the solid approach in defence that can force the bowler to try something different to trouble the batsman.

India’s number three then accelerated against a tiring Australian attack when batting with the tail, to help avoid significant embarrassment for the visitors.

However, while India’s batting was poor at times, no credit should be taken away from Australia’s fine attack. One of the best in the world, Australia tested the Indians right away, backed up by some superb slip catching. On a hot day, all four bowlers kept at it, which was superb to see. India were left hurt in South Africa and England by the lack of support for Virat Kohli. Now, the Australians can truly believe that this Indian side is still not clicking as a unit in SENA.

Will they take advantage with the ball this series? Most pressing and important, will Australia’s batting step up in Adelaide to gain a stronger foothold in the match?

Day one belonged to Australia, and so too the superb Cheteshwar Pujara. Day two promises to be an interesting one.

Thanks for reading!