India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has said that Ravindra Jadeja was picked just for his batting skills on a pace-friendly wicket in Brisbane and he proved his worth with a fifty-plus knock on Day 4 of the third Test. The allrounder, who didn't feature in the first and second Tests of the series, was picked for the third Test amidst a lot of discussion but proved himself.

Jadeja came in at number seven when India were reduced to 74/5 and skipper Rohit Sharma had just departed. He put up a brave front and added 67 runs for the sixth wicket with KL Rahul to take India to a respectable situation.

Pujara said that the stand between Rahul and Jadeja was important and that the latter showed why he was selected for the playing XI for the Brisbane Test.

“The partnership between KL and Jadeja was the standout partnership of this innings and now things are looking a lot better. And KL has shown that if you apply yourself and you bat well, it’s a good pitch where you can score runs," Pujara said while speaking on Star Sports.

"So, yeah, I mean, it’s just about seeing through that new ball and KL showed that today. And even an important contribution from Ravindra because he was picked as a batter and he showed why he was picked," Pujara added.

Rahul and Jadeja were determination personified as their fighting half-centuries helped India avoid the follow-on on the fourth day of the weather-hit third Test against a menacing Australia that seems meandering towards a draw.

Jadeja (77, 123b, 7x4, 1x6) and Rahul (84, 139, 8x4) were the heavy-lifters in India's 252/9 when bad light forced an early close to the day.

Ace India pacer Jasprit Bumrah (10) and Akash Deep (27), who showed appreciable gumption, are holding the fort for India.

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