Pujara's first innings is a blueprint for first Test: Travis Head

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

Australia batsman Travis Head feels India Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara has set an example for others with his first-innings century, calling his gritty knock a "blueprint" on this pitch.

Taking a leaf out of Pujara's book, Head scored a 167-ball 72 to steer Australia to 235 on the third day of first Test here Saturday.

Head helped score 44 runs in the rain-affected first session on Saturday as Australia just about managed to close the gap after Pujara had produced a superb 123 on the opening day to guide India to 250 in their first innings.

"The way Pujara played in the first innings was the blueprint for this wicket," Head, who was born in Adelaide, told reporters.

"He had a really good leaving game, good forward defence, and as the ball got softer, he got more runs. Knowing how hard the wicket can be with the ball moving and the new ball, he played really well."
"It's going to be the same in the next innings. There's not much rough for the left-handers but this wicket always spins with the grass coverage."