JOIN USDebutant Shikhar Dhawan fell 13 short of a double century while Murali Vijay completed his third Test ton as India trailed Australia by 24 runs in their first innings when lunch was called on the fourth day of the third cricket Test here Sunday.
Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal called for a slightly early lunch as India's scoreboard read 384/3 with Vijay unbeaten on 142. Australia were bowled out for 408 in their first innings.
Dhawan, who became the toast of India after scoring the fastest century by any cricketer on debut Saturday, added only two runs Sunday ending his great innings at 187. His unbeaten knock of 185 Saturday had already become India's highest total for a batsman on debut and sixth highest in the world.
After Dhawan fell, in-form batsman Cheteshwar Pujara (1) also had to walk back to the pavilion, lasting just 13 balls at the crease as he fell to an unfortunate leg before dismissal off the bowling of Peter Siddle. Reviews clearly showed he had edged the ball before it hit the pads, which went unnoticed by the umpire.
Meanwhile, Murali Vijay who played a supportive role to Dhawan Saturday, showed mettle and made his third Test century and second of the series. Vijay was given good support by Tendulkar (37).
Off-break bowler Nathan Lyon was the first to provide the breakthrough in the morning as he clinched the prized wicket of Dhawan while leg spinner Steven Smith took Tendulkar's wicket.