When I think of Cheteshwar Pujara, an image of an earnest person with a polite smile comes to mind.
This demeanour of Pujara has not changed in the last eight years that he has been playing for India and this is commendable, for he has not had an easy ride in Indian cricket. In fact, nothing in cricket has come easy for Pujara.
Like a Sachin Tendulkar or a Virat Kohli, he was not touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket where selectors were just waiting for these kids to get some runs to fast track them on to the big scene. Prodigious talent demands and deserves that kind of special treatment in sports.
Pujara wasn’t prodigiously talented and to be clear and for convenience, I use talent as a word to suggest only physical skills and not the mental side of sport.
Pujara, for a defensive batsman, did not even have a defensive technique to rave about, but I remember being very impressed with his decisive, simple footwork in his debut Test against Australia.
He was right back to balls that were short and had a nice stride forward when the ball was full. These were great fundamentals to have as a batsman. On the downside, it was easy to see that he was not very athletic nor did he possess power in a power-driven batting world of today.
So all poor Pujara had as his ally to survive at the top were runs. Only runs would keep him in the side and the moment the runs dried up he would be out! This was his fate, his reality.
He was not one like Rohit Sharma, chosen to get the long rope in Indian cricket.
Anyway, after that debut Test in India, Pujara went to South Africa and failed in the three innings he got there. Sceptics like me made a note of it!
Then came that 153 at the Wanderers on his second trip to South Africa in 2013. One must know South Africa is the most arduous amongst foreign countries for Indian batsmen to get runs. Even batting greats of India have average numbers there!
After that 153, Pujara was marked down as an Indian batsman who could get runs away from India too.
This story is from the May 4, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 4, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
