Australia's moment of class after Pujara's historic knock

Cheteshwar Pujara’s incredible innings has finally ended, sparking a classy moment from the Aussies.

Pujara extended his marathon knock into a fifth session and 548th minute before finally falling on 193, chipping a catch back to Nathan Lyon at the SCG on Friday.

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In stark contrast to the boos that rang out around the SCG on Thursday when Virat Kohli strode to the crease, the crowd gave Pujara a standing ovation as he made his way off.

A number of Aussie players also congratulated the Indian star and shook his hand, despite being embarrassed by the centurion.

Pujara also offered a chance on 192, understandably tiring on the cusp of becoming India’s first double-centurion in Australia since Sachin Tendulkar’s SCG epic in 2004.

The batsman’s highest score outside India and remarkable concentration throughout the series has put India in the box seat for their maiden Test series win in Australia.

Since 1971, Alastair Cook is the only touring batsman to have spent longer at the crease in an Australian Test series.

Cook faced 1438 deliveries in the 2010-11 Ashes, posting three centuries in scoring 766 runs to earn man-of-the-series honours.

Pujara has likened his approach to meditation, saying the key to such incredible application is clearing all thoughts.

Cook’s discipline, developed on the farm and as a choirboy who performed for the Queen, was just as effective throughout a 161-Test career that produced 12,472 runs.

The immovable objects share the same prudent judgment, seemingly impregnable defence and capacity to wait for a bad ball.

In a series where the highest score by an Australian is 72, local batsmen have spoken of how they must follow Pujara’s lead.

Australia’s star-studded attack, regarding Pujara as an even more vital wicket than Kohli, have also spoken in recent weeks of the need to be more patient than the leading run-scorer of the series.

In both cases, it’s far more easily said than done.

HIGHEST TEST SCORE AT SCG BY AN INDIAN:

Sachin Tendulkar 241 not out (2004)

Ravi Shastri 206 (1992)

Cheteshwar Pujara 193 (2019)

with AAP