Can Vijay and Pujara do it?

Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara did what no Indian second wicket pair had done against Australia - stitch together a 294-run partnership - which they did in great style and fashion after the fall of Virender Sehwag for six.

India's young stars Cheteshwar Pujara (left) and Murali Vijay demolished the Australian bowling on Day Two of the second Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad yesterday. Pic/AFP

The unconquered duo went past India's record second wicket stand against Australia - 224 by Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1986.

Also significant were the surpassing of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid's 268 (vs SA at Chennai in 2008) and Gautam Gambhir and Dravid's 259 (vs Bangladesh at Chittagong in 2004).

Gavaskar (left) and Vengsarkar walk out to resume their partnership which swelled to 344 vs West Indies at Kolkata in January 1979. pic courtesy: Pageant of cricket by David Firth (published by Macmillan Australia)

Apart from burying the Aussies in a bigger mountain of runs, Vijay and Pujara got themselves in a good position to surpass India's all-time second wicket stand - the unbeaten 344 by Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar achieved at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata in January 1979. Before that, there is Gambhir and Dravid's 314 which was witnessed against England during the Mohali Test of 2008. Both above mentioned Tests ended in draws. Meanwhile, Sehwag would be left wondering whether the selectors would pick him for the next two Tests.

Since his hundred against England in the opening Test of the four-match series against England at Ahmedabad, the Delhi dasher has managed only 163 in nine innings. Of course, there is a chance that he'll get an opportunity in the second innings here. u00a0