Sydney
Cheteshwar Pujara, who has not played competitive cricket since March, had an extensive net session here on Thursday and looked comfortable facing the fast bowlers as he geared up for what promises to be a gruelling Test series against Australia next month.

Pujara batted both at the side nets and the centre strip where he faced Ishan Porel and Kartik Tyagi, who are with the team as net bowlers. He also faced Umesh Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin.

The Indian team is allowed to train in its 14-day quarantine, having arrived here last week. The ODI and T20 series begins November 27 and will be followed by a four-match Test series, starting with a day-night encounter from December 17 in Adelaide.

While most India players competed in the IPL, Test regulars Pujara and Hanuma Vihari joined the national team bubble in the UAE before reaching Australia.

Pujara, who last played the Ranji Trophy final, was instrumental in India’s historic win over Australia two years ago and his role at No. 3 will be of immense value, especially after Virat Kohli’s departure following the first Test at Adelaide Oval.Kohli would be heading home to be with his actor wife Anushka Sharma for the birth for their first child.