Birthday Special: Cheteshwar Pujara – Five memorable knocks of his career so far
RESILIENCE. TENACITY. If someone was to give a form to these two words from the cricketing world, it is Cheteshwar Pujara. He is a man who can keep any bowling attack at bay and one who will not flinch in the face of adversity. Pujara stood like an immovable rock in the recently concluded series against Australia and played a pivotal role in his side retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
Primarily a Test specialist, Pujara can easily stake claim to being one of the greatest to have wielded the willow for India in whites. He has scored 6111 runs in Test cricket so far and has scored them at an average of 47.74.
With Pujara celebrating his 34th birthday today, let’s take a look at his top 5 knocks in Test cricket to date:
5. 56 vs Australia (2021) – The Gabba, Brisbane
This was not an innings where he scored a century. This was not an innings where he top-scored for his side. But because of the value that it brought to the team, this knock was special. India were set a daunting target of 328 in the fourth innings of the fourth Test at The Gabba. The visitors lost Rohit Sharma early, and in walked Pujara. During the course of his stay at the crease, India’s No.3 got hit on his helmet, his chest, his elbow and his finger. But he just did not give up.
Pujara resolutely faced 211 deliveries, scored a defiant 56 and forged a crucial 114-run stand with Shubman Gill for the second wicket. And, Pujara’s defiance allowed the likes of Gill and Rishabh Pant to go after the Aussie bowlers, as Australia lost a Test at The Gabba for the first time in 32 years.
4. 193 vs Australia (2019) – SCG, Sydney
This knock too came on Australian shores in 2019. India entered the final Test in January 2019 leading the series 2-1. And in the fourth Test at the SCG, Pujara took the Australian bowling attack to the cleaners. In a defiant innings that lasted 373 deliveries, he scored 193 to help his side post a gargantuan 622 on the board. He was supported by Pant who scored a blistering 189-ball 159, as India batted Australia out of the match. Thanks to his contribution, India secured a comfortable draw in the fourth Test to win a Test series in Australia for the first time ever.
3. 202 vs Australia (2017) – JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi
Australia yet again bore the brunt of a Pujara masterclass in 2017, this time on Indian soil. The Aussies batted first and posted 451 on the board. Pujara walked in with India’s scorecard reading 91/1, and walked out when the scorecard read 527/7. In a marathon vigil that lasted a colossal 525 deliveries, he scored 202 to methodically pile on the misery on the Australians. He scored 21 fours in that innings. The match ended in a draw.
2. 204 vs Australia (2013) – Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
This was a classic that was played out more than 7 years ago, on a hot summer day in March 2013 against Australia. The Aussies batted first and posted 237 on the board. Pujara walked in after Virender Sehwag was dismissed for just 6. Yet again, Pujara dug in and batted on for hours. He consumed 341 balls and scored 204 runs, as India ended their first innings with a massive total of 503. Australia could only manage a paltry 131 in their second innings, as India crushed their opponents by an innings and 135 runs.
1. 206* vs England (2012) – Motera, Ahmedabad
In 2012, Pujara announced his arrival to the world in style. Playing in only his sixth Test match, the right-hander scored an unbeaten 206 off 389 balls to help India pile up 521 runs. Pujara’s knock was laced with 21 boundaries, and his innings was one that rendered the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann helpless. His splendid double hundred helped India trounce England by 9 wickets.
