Pujara, Rahul guide India to 153/2 in fourth Test (Tea Report)

Dharamsala March 26 (IANS) Cheteshwar Pujara and Lokesh Rahul hit half-centuries as India reached 153/2 in their first innings at tea on the second day of the fourth and final cricket Test against Australia here on Sunday.

Pujara was unbeaten on 53 with stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane batting on 19 at the other end.

The duo have added 45 runs between them after opener Rahul was dismissed while trying to hit a short pitched delivery from Pat Cummins over the onside.

Rahul batted steadily to score 60 runs with nine hits to the fence and a six before being dismissed.

The hosts are now trailing Australia s first innings total of 300 by 147 runs.

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood dismissed opener Murali Vijay (11) for 1/31 while Cummins returned 1/45.

Brief scores:

India (First Innings): 153/2 (Lokesh Rahul 60 Cheteshwar Pujara 53 batting Murali Vijay 11 Josh Hazlewood 1/31 Pat Cummins 1/45) vs Australia (First Innings): 300.

--IANS
ajb/gau/vt