“He showed 3 things” – Sunil Gavaskar lauds Cheteshwar Pujara’s knock in 3rd IND vs AUS Test
“He showed 3 things” – Sunil Gavaskar lauds Cheteshwar Pujara’s knock in 3rd IND vs AUS Test


Sunil Gavaskar has praised Cheteshwar Pujara for displaying the attributes required for a successful Test batsman.

Pujara scored 59 runs as India were bowled out for 163 in their second innings of the ongoing third Test against Australia in Indore on Thursday 2 March. The visitors need 76 runs in the late innings to record their first win in the four-game border. -Gavaskar Trophy.

While reviewing the game of the day on Star Sports, Gavaskar praised Cheteshwar Pujara, saying:

“He showed three things: great patience, good technique and then intention. Every time he had a little chance to hit the ball, he was scoring runs. Every time he had a chance, he would go out and drive the ball. In the end, he even hit a six after leaving”.

The former Indian captain noted that the Saurashtra batsman is adept at playing to the demands of the situation, explaining:

“His intention was always to score runs and not have to just stand on the pitch. We saw his hitting in Brisbane and Sydney, there he was trying to tire out the bowlers. Cheteshwar Pujara knows very well how to adjust his game according to the party situation”.

Well done Cheteshwar Pujara – 59 in 142 balls in the most difficult of circumstances. He stood there like a wall and led India to a respectable total. Big hit, Pujara! https://t.co/Jh7a5oa7TG

Pujara played 142 deliveries and scored five fours and one six during his 59-run strike. He was the eighth Indian wicket to fall, brilliantly caught in a leg slip by Steve Smith off Nathan Lyon’s bowling.


“You need a different kind of temperament and mindset for that” – Sunil Gavaskar on Cheteshwar Pujara excelling in tests

Cheteshwar Pujara has represented India in 101 tests so far. [P/C: BCCI]
Cheteshwar Pujara has represented India in 101 tests so far. [P/C: BCCI]

Sunil Gavaskar was also asked if Pujara looked totally different from the other Indian batsmen that day because he plays only one format, to which he replied:

“Yes, because you need a different kind of temperament and mentality for that, where you have to show patience. You have to have the right technique. In white-ball cricket, you can score runs if you have the ability to bat, even if you don’t.” . I don’t have good technique.”

The cricketer turned commentator added that the veteran batsman’s defensive ability is his best asset, explaining:

“You need defensive skill in Test cricket where you can avoid the good balls. If you are genius like Tendulkar or Sehwag who used to hit the boundaries with good balls they have different skill but Cheteshwar Pujara skill is to occupy the crease and tire out the bowlers”.

Gavaskar concluded by stating that the other batsmen benefit from Pujara’s presence at the crease. He reasoned that opposition bowlers sometimes forget about their partners while trying to figure out how to get it out.

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Edited by Sai Krishna

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