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Pujara, Vijay give India a steady start

By IANS,

New Delhi: Opening batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay made a steady start as India reached 59 for no loss in the first innings and reduced the deficit to 203 runs at lunch against Australia on the second day of the fourth cricket Test at the Ferozeshah Kotla Saturday.

Pujara was batting on 28 and Vijay 23 at lunch break. Pujara was impressive and hit some crisply timed shots on both sides of the wicket. Vijay, however, was living dangerously as some of his edges flew past the slips.

Earlier in the day, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bagged his ninth fifer, and fourth of the series, as Australia were bowled out for 262 in the first innings.

Resuming at overnight 231/8, Australia added 31 runs with Peter Siddle emerging the top scorer with 51, his maiden half-century. Siddle became Ashwin’s fifth victim as the offie finished with five for 57.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha also completed his 100 Test wickets after he picked up James Pattinson (30) caught at first-slip by Virat Kohli to wrap up the tail.