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Pujara makes one think of a bygone period when patience was a quality all cricketers should possess and a sign of incompetence or old age. Indian cricketers lined up in two lines in front of the entrance to the Feroz Shah Kotla venue on a foggy Friday morning during New Delhi's dying winters.
They began applauding Cheteshwar Pujara as soon as he emerged from the tunnel in celebration of his becoming the 13th player to participate in 100 Tests for India.
After getting three triple hundreds in 2008, Pujara gained notoriety. Before making his debut for India in 2010, Pujara had earned a reputation as a premier cricketer in the Indian domestic circuit after playing 50 first-class matches and averaging over 60.
Pujara made his debut in Test cricket by making a valiant 72 in the second innings while batting ahead of his idol, Rahul Dravid, to help his team defeat Australia. Pujara was on his way to becoming one of Indian cricket's all-time greats since he was the nation's most technically proficient batsman.
However, fate had other plans when a knee ailment forced the Rajot wonder lad to give up cricket. Since suffering the knee injury, Pujara has been in and out of the team, scoring significant runs whenever he has the chance.
Anil Kumble, the new head coach, helped Pujara determine the strengths of the batters he should stick with in order to perform at his best. This was the first time Pujara had received support from a coach. With five hundred, including a double hundred against Australia, Pujara's batting blossomed in 2016–17, making him India's most reliable run scorer throughout the campaign.
In terms of his test career, the Rajkot batsman appears to be in the midst of his greatest period. In the middle, more so than throughout the runs, he exudes a newfound sense of calm.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who was seen as Rahul Dravid's heir, had large shoes to fill in the third slot. However, he has played 102 Test innings and is only averaging 50.71 with 15 hundreds, which is by no means poor. The hard-working right-hander has established himself as a cornerstone of Indian batting since making his debut.
Pujara is an example of a traditional Test batsman. He based his strategy on the attributes of patience, a strong defensive approach, and an exceptional temperament. Pujara is a symbol of focus on the 22 yards in a time where flamboyance is king.
Cheteshwar Pujara century was made by the time the day was out, becoming the match's top score.
Pujara has honed his technique for playing the game's longer format. Although it may not be the most common format, it is the format that evaluates your aptitude, temperament, technique, and everything else. Aakash Chopra, a former India Test opener, feels it is the pinnacle of cricket and that Pujara has what it takes to get there.
Since his under-14 years, Pujara has scored frequently and has triple hundreds for Saurashtra in first-class cricket. The shorter formats, where a run-a-ball score is now expected, are the only remaining obstacle he needs to overcome.
There is undoubtedly a case for Pujara in the ODI setup, even though Chopra thinks he isn't ready for a long-term T20 tenure. He is limited to scoring runs and more runs while hoping for a look-in as soon as possible. Rahul Dravid 2.0 should be able to handle it with ease.
FAQs
When was Cheteshwar Pujara born?
Cheteshwar Pujara was born on January 25, 1988, in Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
What is Cheteshwar Pujara's batting style?
Cheteshwar Pujara is a right-handed batsman known for his classical and orthodox approach to batting. His style is characterised by patience and resilience.
