'Pujji bhaag gya Benstokes' - Fans bash Cheteshwar Pujara as he throws his wicket cheaply in the first Test against Australia

The four-match Test series between India and Australia finally kicked off on Thursday, February 9 at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The host anticipated a strong start from the Australians as they won the toss and opted to bat first but that didn’t happen as they were bundled out for only 177 runs in the first innings.

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While walking into bat in the second innings, India started really well as skipper Rohit Sharma made his intent clear and was dealing with boundaries in the beginning. However, KL Rahul looked uncomfortable against the spin and was eventually dismissed by debutant Todd Murphy.

India decided to send a nightwatchman as there were only 7 balls left in the day. India’s premium allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin came to bat at no.3 and successfully survived till the day’s end. Both Ashwin and Rohit came to bat on Day 2 and stitched a useful 42-run stand for the 2^nd wicket.

Todd Murphy's brilliant debut

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Ashwin’s dismissal led to Cheteshwar Pujara coming to the crease at no.4 on Day 2. The veteran India batter began well, hitting spinners Todd Murphy a couple of times while at the same time, cautiously defending Scott Boland. But then during the 45th over of the innings, he went to sweep a loose ball off Murphy which was pitched way outside the leg stump, only to get a top edge. The ball went straight to Boland at short fine leg, and with that, he departed after scoring just 7 off 14 balls.

It was a very unusual shot by Pujara, who tends to take some time to settle himself before attacking the spinner. Moreover, he fell to 22-year-old Murphy, who is making his debut in red-ball cricket, which led him to become the center of attention in a negative way.

India saw off the first hour on the 2^nd day without any damage, but Australia came back nicely in the second. There's still a lot to do for the visitors with the deficit only 26 in the 1^st session of Day 2, and 7 wickets still to get. Rohit has slowed down but still looks at ease out there, batting on 85.

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Here’s how fans reacted on Pujara's early dismissal:

Match 2 din chhota hojayega ab😅😮‍💨😔

— Lalit Kalla (@KallaLalit) February 10, 2023

Bro akele rohit hi rahega kya pitch me🥲

— Nilesh (@Nilesht2003) February 10, 2023

Shameless hippo🦛 created pressure on him🥺🤬

— Action Kamen (@Action_kamen___) February 10, 2023

Now he's gonna have a niggle next game😹

— 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙈𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙤𝙘𝙠 (@Chiradeep_07) February 10, 2023

Ahh shit here we go again 😑

— K U N A L ⚓ (@kuna1___) February 10, 2023

Murphy ne khila di Barfi

— H.R. Sharma (@panditrockss) February 10, 2023

Pujji bhaag gyaa Benstokes 😭

— ViKrAnT⁴5 (Vicky) (@VikrantSolver) February 10, 2023

Pujara and Rahul have become baggage..

— My Buddha (@a_das59494603) February 10, 2023

Virat ne to khud ne Aakash chopda se sikha hai.

— Bunny (@Bunnymypapa) February 9, 2023