One of the hardest pitches I've played on: Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara conceded that the contribute at the Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg was the hardest he'd at any point played on. India's No.3 scored a steady 50 off 176 and was one of just two half-centurions - Virat Kohli being the other - as the guests collapsed for 187 in the wake of choosing to bat on a green best. Pujara, who strolled in to bat as right on time as the fourth finished, was stranded on his pre-coordinate count of 4445 Test rums for a nerve racking 53-conveyances before tucking a Lungi Ngidi conveyance behind square for his first keep running of the innings.

Pujara's single earned him a commendation from the group. Those in the Indian changing area overhang applauded their eager fighter. Non-striker Kohli offered him a go-ahead as a timid Pujara permitted himself a little grin of help.

"This is one of the hardest pitches I've played on," Pujara said after Stumps on Day 1. "What's more, as we saw, it was hard to score a few runs, particularly in the main session. It was hard to turn the strike. It has a considerable measure of ricochet, it has crease development. What's more, there is sufficient pace now. So we needed to endeavor to score runs, however the aggregate we have, I think it is comparable to scoring 300 on any wicket. As we saw, we got a wicket, and on the off chance that we bowl well, I think we'll get them out. I would state it was a decent day for us."

Pujara wound up amidst a Vernon Philander storm. With considerable crease development on offer, the 32-year-old was unplayable now and again, reeling off seven ladies in an eight-over first-spell that read 8-7-1-1. Pujara had a chance to get off the separate his eighth conveyance when he solidly drove Philander down the ground just to see Kagiso Rabada at mid-off influence a plunging to stop. He at that point survived a narrow escape for LBW that South Africa inspected and later was accidental off another LBW yell when Lungi Ngidi neglected to persuade his commander to take an audit. He seemed to have at long last finished his travails off his 45th conveyance just to have the umpire properly motion for leg byes to cheers from those in participation.

The 29-year-old confessed to being exceptionally anxious to get off the stamp and monitoring the group's response to his endeavors at breaking the duck. "After a point clearly yes I needed to get off the stamp. However, as you saw, it was somewhat hard to pivot the strike. Be that as it may, as I said this is one of the hardest pitches I have played on, so you have to take as much time as is needed and you have to get used to the ricochet and sidelong development.

"Indeed you do see it (the group's joke), in light of the fact that there was a ton of commotion from the group (snickers). Also, even by and by, clearly I needed to get off the check. I wasn't seeing the quantity of balls I was confronting, however no doubt, now and then when there is part of commotion you do see it. Regardless of whether you are concentrating, once in a while you hear a voice from the group."

Pujara said his innings on the opening day was doubly imperative given his twin run-outs at Centurion had desired feedback from the skipper and the mentor. "Well it was somewhat shocking in light of the fact that I was looking better than average even in the last Test coordinate. The way I was batting, I felt in. In any case, it was somewhat heartbreaking that I was run out in the two innings. That was an extreme time. I don't figure any cricketer would (need to) get out twice (run out) in one Test coordinate. That is something that I'd jump at the chance to overlook and proceed onward. In any case, truly, the way I was batting today, I'm extremely content with it."

In spite of the fire and ice mix of Pujara and Kohli including 84 keeps running for the third wicket, India lost their way with the last seven wickets succumbing to 90 runs. Pujara, who likewise safeguarded India's choice to bat first on a green best, said 187 was on a par with 300 on another wicket. "I think as the diversion advances, we are certain that this wicket will be hard to bat on. As we saw even in the later phases of today, the makes are opening laugh uncontrollably and two or three balls veered off a ton. That is to say, I haven't seen deviation like that some time recently. As the amusement advances I figure this wicket will have variable bob and airs out will up, so it will be hard to bat on. That is the reason we batted first," he said.

"The aggregate we have (187) I think it is on a par with scoring 300 on any wicket. As we saw, we got a wicket, and on the off chance that we bowl well, I think we'll get them out. I would state it was a decent day for us. So in the event that we bowl well I think we have a decent shot, and I am extremely confident that we have enough keeps running on this wicket."