Why Pujara Matters In Indian Cricket?

Not too many cricketers anywhere in the world play the game quite like Cheteshwar Pujara does. His introvert persona lends itself beautifully to the five day game...

- Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

Cheteshwar Pujara must have had his heart in his mouth as he walked back to the pavilion at Lord’s. The skipper was at fault for running him out and he was far too shocked to react and even then, to curb his reaction not to offend the leading man of contemporary Indian cricket. Having missed out on the Edgbaston Test, he could see his opportunities frittered away by this mishap in the first innings of the Lord’s Test. However, context matters and this is why Pujara is vital for India’s cricket, particularly in the Test format as he has shown in the fourth Test already

Not too many cricketers anywhere in the world play the game quite like Cheteshwar Pujara does. His introvert persona lends itself beautifully to the five day game. Not easily given to expressing emotion or elation, Pujara is an astute man behind the crease, watchful at no.3 and dedicated as he lends stability to the backbone of the batting line up, crucially as he wears down the opposition team and holds up one end as far as wickets go.