Cheteshwar Pujara goes past 6000 Test runs, 11th Indian batsman to achieve the milestone

Sydney, January 11: Cheteshwar Pujara on Monday (January 11) added another feather to his cap as he completed 6,000 runs in Test cricket. Pujara achieved the milestone on the final day of the third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

In the 76th over of the fourth innings, Pujara smashed a boundary off Nathan Lyon and completed his 6,000 runs and a well-made fifty. Pujara and Rishabh Pant led India's run chase of 407 before both got out to Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon respectively. Pant also became the youngest wicket-keeper to score fifty-plus runs in the fourth innings of a Test match in Australia.

Pant played in an aggressive manner and took a special liking towards Lyon and he did not let the off-spinner settle. Pant went on to bring up his fifty and as a result, he became the youngest wicket-keeper (23 years and 95 days) to score 50 plus runs in the fourth innings of a Test in Australia.

He beat the record of former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy who was 24 years and 216 days when he achieved the feat. At the lunch break, India's score reads 206/3, still needing 201 runs to win the match.

The first session saw 36 overs being bowled and 108 runs were scored. Resuming day five on 98/2, India did not have a good start as the side lost skipper Ajinkya Rahane (4) pretty early as he was sent back to the pavilion by Nathan Lyon and it gave Australia a chance to create more pressure.

However, the visitors made a surprising move as the side sent in wicket-keeper batsman Pant ahead of Hanuma Vihari. Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara managed to survive the first session and the visitors went to the break with seven wickets still in hand.

Both Pant and Pujara have extended their fourth-wicket partnership to 104 runs. On day four, Australia had set a target of 407 for India to win the third Test. Cameron Green and Steve Smith played knocks of 84 and 81 respectively as Australia declared their second innings on 312/6.