Australia vs India: Allan Border names the player who made the difference in Adelaide Test

Team India is on the cusp of history as they look set to win the first match of a Test series in Australia for the first time. Chasing a total of 323 runs, Australia have succumbed to 104/4 already and it looks a tall ask for them to overhaul the target on the final day with the pitch deteriorating. Having said that, the hosts must be lamenting giving away a good position on the first day. But there was a certain Cheteshwar Pujara who slammed a heroic ton to keep India afloat and Allan Border feels that he has been the major difference between the two teams.

After winning the toss, India had found themselves at 41/4 in the first session but then the tide turned dramatically as Pujara decided to grind it down. He stitched crucial partnerships down the order to propel the team to 250 in the first innings individually scoring 123 runs. However, still many felt that the visitors had posted an under-par total.

But like they have done all year, the Indian bowlers bowled their heart out to put India into ascendancy with a brilliant performance. Moreover, the visiting batsmen showed remarkable improvement in the second innings once again led by Pujara who scored a patient 71 and most importantly faced more than 200 balls again.

Pujara has been brilliant

Allan Border, while speaking after the end of the day to the reporters, pointed out how Cheteshwar Pujara has made the difference in the series opener and his two innings has kept Australia at bay. “Pujara, on the Indian side, has been absolutely brilliant. His two innings have been the difference between the two sides,” he said.

The legendary cricketer was also extremely disappointed with the batsmen and their shot selection in the second innings. He felt that the time was not going to be an issue in the chase and questioned some of the shots played by the top-order.

“Australian batting has been very disappointing. The weak link in this team has been the batting; we knew the bowlers are going to be good. You have to play your conditions, which has been difficult. Batting has been a real grind. For Australia today, time wasn’t the issue and some of the shots they played, you’ve just got to shake your head. It’s just not what we expect from an Australian team,” Border further added.

[interaction id=”5c0b8eb9fc61dd40362ab70c”]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from Australia vs India series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.