India’s Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara smashed his 18th Test century on the first day of the fourth and last Test match against Australia on Thursday, January 3, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Pujara walked in to bat after KL Rahul’s dismissal in the second over of the ongoing Test match and played the anchor’s role for India.

The 30-year-old stylish batsman displayed some elegant and attacking cricket as he smashed the Aussie bowlers all over the park. During his unbeaten 130 runs knock Pujara struck 15 boundaries.

It was also Cheteshwar Pujara’s third ton in the ongoing Test series between India and Australia. The right-handed batsman scored his first century of the ongoing Test of the series in Adelaide and then followed it up in the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Cheteshwar Pujara’s classic innings earned massive praise from the cricket fraternity:

Stand and applaud @cheteshwar1 💯 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 another brilliant innings and he does not look satisfied 🤦‍♂️🏏 wants 200

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) January 3, 2019

Zindagi na milegi Pujara. Brilliant to watch the determination and the consistency has been amazing.
Congratulations @cheteshwar1 on your third hundred of the series.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 3, 2019

Delight to watch proper grinding Test Match batting. And we must remember, that while Australia’s batting is depleted, they are playing their full strength bowling attack. Top class from @cheteshwar1 Pujara !

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 3, 2019

Yet another Test Match, yet another marvellous innings from Pujara. Many congratulations on the 18th Test hundred. Has been a delight to watch you bat, @cheteshwar1 ! pic.twitter.com/dxTiaidSYc

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 3, 2019

Calmness while batting, calmness in celebration. Pujara stands out in today’s frenetic world as he has done in this series.👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏#AusvIndia

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 3, 2019

Pujaraaaa bolo tara rara @cheteshwar1 3 hundreds in last 3 games in australia.. what a player @BCCI #AUSvIND 4th test

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 3, 2019

Cheteshwar ‘Dependable’ Pujara….three centuries in a series Down Under. Pujara’s series this…. #AusvInd #7Cricket @7Cricket @1116sen

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 3, 2019

“This man just bats, and bats and bats!” – Mr. Cricket 🏏

Take a bow, Pujara. This is a special hundred at the SCG 🙌🏻#CricketMeriJaan #AUSvIND

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 3, 2019

Very happy for Pujara. Here is a player who knows his game inside out, is comfortable with who he is and how he plays and is just a simple, modest man. And that quality is a big part of his cricket.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 3, 2019

Earlier in the day, Indian skipper Virat Kohli decided to bat after winning the toss and at the end of the first day’s game, Team India was poised at 303 runs for the loss of four wickets.

At the stumps, Pujara was in the middle with Hanuma Vihari (39 runs off 58 balls).