Pujara used his feet well against the spinners and never

allowed them to settle down on a wicket that aided some turn.

He was extremely choosy while leaving balls released by pacers Cummins and Hazlewood.

He brought up his fifty with two exquisite boundaries on both sides of the wicket -- a flick of the wrist before stepping out to drive O'Keefe with the turn.

Pujara paced his innings perfectly, first playing second fiddle to Vijay in the first session as the opener notched up his 15th Test half-century in his 50th Test.

Vijay was solid with his defence, and was not afraid to step out and punish the loose balls. With Pujara at the other end, India progressed with caution.

Having got the solitary wicket of KL Rahul with a rising delivery yesterday, Cummins was introduced in the ninth over of the day and the duo of Pujara and Vijay was happy when the pacer was through with his spell.

Cummins bowled three successive maidens, conceding eight runs from his nine overs before being replaced by Nathan Lyon, as Australia resorted to spin from both ends.

O'Keefe continued bowling from the pavillion end, looking to replicate the success of Ravindra Jadeja, but the Indians did not look in any sort of discomfort.

The final Test will be held in Dharamsala from March 25 to 29.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)