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Cheteshwar Pujara Discussion Thread

I reckon if it weren't for his knees, he'd be rivalling Steve Smith as the greatest batsman in the world. Pre 2014, Pujara was a rich mans Dravid.
 
Match winning knock. Class test player. Expecting big scores from him in the next overseas tours .
 
Ab Fan said:
Its a tragedy that Pujara failed overseas. There is absolutely no reason why he can't succeed overseas but his failures in his away tours really turned the tide and hurt his legacy.

The Pujara of 2011-12 was one of the best things happened to India and it's a shame that he failed to carry it further. I still believe he can do well overseas just need to have the confidence and determination which he lacked in the previous tour.
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Recently, I have really started to admire Kohli as a person but I think Kohli also played a role in Puji's downfall. He didnt give him the require confidence. Kohli has his favs like Rohit Sharma and Puji is not one of them. For exp the uncalled for comments on Puji by Kohli that he plays slow but always praising Sharma. Sharma atleast has to play 10 years to play impact match winning test knocks like Puji.

Remember in 2011/2012 when Puji scored a 70 odd not out against Australia in 4th innings and he was called the next big thing in Indian cricket by every quarter. Kohli wasnt even in the test side then. Maybe Kohli didnt like everyone praising Puji as the next big thing and saw Puji as his competitor and there might be a jealousy factor. This is just my theory from what I have seen when they 2 play together and Kohli's excessive praises for other players but never for Puji.
 
SarfiBabarHaris said:
Recently, I have really started to admire Kohli as a person but I think Kohli also played a role in Puji's downfall. He didnt give him the require confidence. Kohli has his favs like Rohit Sharma and Puji is not one of them. For exp the uncalled for comments on Puji by Kohli that he plays slow but always praising Sharma. Sharma atleast has to play 10 years to play impact match winning test knocks like Puji.

Remember in 2011/2012 when Puji scored a 70 odd not out against Australia in 4th innings and he was called the next big thing in Indian cricket by every quarter. Kohli wasnt even in the test side then. Maybe Kohli didnt like everyone praising Puji as the next big thing and saw Puji as his competitor and there might be a jealousy factor. This is just my theory from what I have seen when they 2 play together and Kohli's excessive praises for other players but never for Puji.
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Jealousy factor and all that is rubbish. It's just media-made rumours.Dont pay attention to them.

Pujara had himself to blame for his failures overseas but at last he proved his doubters wrong by that knock in SL on seamer friendly pitch and although Kohli had a liking for Sharma(LOL!), he did realised that Pujara is one of their best test bat and the one with solid defence against new ball and there shouldn't be any question regarding his spot in the team.
 
Haz95 said:
I reckon if it weren't for his knees, he'd be rivalling Steve Smith as the greatest batsman in the world. Pre 2014, Pujara was a rich mans Dravid.
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He is still the best test bat in India but yeah sadly he didnt match the standards which he was tipped for.

He was the star in u-19 world cup 2006. In final, he was the most priced wicket and luckily Anwar got him out and we defended a small total 110. I am sure in my mind if that LBW decision against Puji didnt go our way India would have won the world cup.

Then he scored lots of runs for India A. If I remember correctly there was this Ind A-Eng A(or some other nation) match where Puji scored heavily and the others failed. Reports showed it was really difficult to score in that condition but wasnt a problem for Puji.

I really hope that he scores big in his next overseas tours.
 
Fantastic knock.

Has flown under the radar during the last couple of years in his career but make no mistake - he is a vital cog in our batting line-up.
 
SarfiBabarHaris said:
Recently, I have really started to admire Kohli as a person but I think Kohli also played a role in Puji's downfall. He didnt give him the require confidence. Kohli has his favs like Rohit Sharma and Puji is not one of them. For exp the uncalled for comments on Puji by Kohli that he plays slow but always praising Sharma. Sharma atleast has to play 10 years to play impact match winning test knocks like Puji.

Remember in 2011/2012 when Puji scored a 70 odd not out against Australia in 4th innings and he was called the next big thing in Indian cricket by every quarter. Kohli wasnt even in the test side then. Maybe Kohli didnt like everyone praising Puji as the next big thing and saw Puji as his competitor and there might be a jealousy factor. This is just my theory from what I have seen when they 2 play together and Kohli's excessive praises for other players but never for Puji.
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I don't think Kohli favors Rohit , if any competition , I think Virat sees Rohit as his biggest competitor in the Indian Side. Only Rohit can match and possibly outbat Virat. Pujara is a low key test player and that guy doesn't have a single mean bone in his body ...hard not to like him.
 
bleaf27 said:
I don't think Kohli favors Rohit , if any competition , I think Virat sees Rohit as his biggest competitor in the Indian Side. Only Rohit can match and possibly outbat Virat. Pujara is a low key test player and that guy doesn't have a single mean bone in his body ...hard not to like him.
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That low key test player has more impactful match winning test innings than Kohli, Rahane, Rohit. Best Indian test bat of last 5-6 years.
 
SarfiBabarHaris said:
That low key test player has more impactful match winning test innings than Kohli, Rahane, Rohit. Best Indian test bat of last 5-6 years.
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No he's an amazing player don't get me wrong but my point was I don't think Virat sees a competitor or is jealous of Pujara, Rohit is more of that. In terms of ODI/Tests/ T20 both Virat and Rohit are consistent , part of each playing 11 and possibly have leadership qualities.
 
When I first saw him I thought he would top Dravid. Was absolutely class when he first came onto the scene. Has since fallen away for some reason but still has the potential to be an Indian great.
 
Not a fan of Pujara the player. Too much tuk tuk and only plays boring Test matches.
 
After a match winning 92 in the 3rd innings of last match when it was tough to bat, another 100 from Puji when it mattered.

Just Brilliant!
 
Great knock once again.

Expect him to go on and convert this into a double. Now is the time.
 
Has turned around his career a little bit since the drop last year.

Hope it sticks this time.
 
Terrific Test cricketer, but unfortunately doesn't have the extra gear for LOIs. He has proved Kohli wrong, who tried hard to dispose him and used to praise him through gritted teeth. Players like Pujara are invaluable in Test cricket, not everything needs to be flash.
 
Varun said:
Has turned around his career a little bit since the drop last year.

Hope it sticks this time.
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He is playing a at home, which was never an issue - before this Test his home average was 65+, after this match, if can reach to 70. It's away Test that's the concern, where his average is 33, that includes 145* in Sri Lanka.

But yes, by trait a fantastic Test batsman, almost perfect No. 3.
 
I don't get why 'Away' averages are so important. Is it not possible that there are flat tracks in 'away' conditions? Why do 'away' innings in dead rubbers are better than actual match winning series saving innings in Asia? Why cant Pujara's 140 odd (in a match and series winning situation) in 'seaming' conditions be rated highly? Just because it was not 'away'? Why cant it be possible that even in India when a player arrived at the crease it was difficult against fast bowling. Why cant that innings be counted? Just because it was not 'away'?

Kohli has great test 'away' average but how many matches has he won or how many series results did he influence? How many tough runs he scored or crucial runs he scored which resulted in wins when the chips were down.. Atleast a guy like Puji is winning matches and influencing series' in Asia while Kohli with his 'away' numbers hasn't done anything special.

Sometimes I don't get this subcontinent obsession with this 'away' thing. In general too it is like this. "Ohh look the guy works abroad. Wow!!" .. It doesn't matter what he does there only the stamp of abroad is enough.
 
best Indian test batsman of the past few years, better than Kohli.
One of the most underrated Indian cricketers. Everyone is too busy boasting/defending Kohli and Ashwin.
 
Citizen4 said:
best Indian test batsman of the past few years, better than Kohli.
One of the most underrated Indian cricketers. Everyone is too busy boasting/defending Kohli and Ashwin.
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Not only underrated in Indian cricket but one of the most underrated test crickets in world.

I am pretty sure if Kohli had played match winning 92 in last match or the 130 today against a pacy Cummins he would have been hailed and taken to the moon and people would have continued boosting those innings in years to come. But nobody hardly mentions Puji's 140 in 3rd test (match winning and series winning in seaming conditions when others failed). Because supposedly it was not in 'away' conditions.

Some call him 'average'. Ok for a second lets take Puji as an 'average' test bat but on the other side they call Kohli the best/2nd best test batsman right now. LOL!
 
SarfiBabarHaris said:
Not only underrated in Indian cricket but one of the most underrated test crickets in world.

I am pretty sure if Kohli had played match winning 92 in last match or the 130 today against a pacy Cummins he would have been hailed and taken to the moon and people would have continued boosting those innings in years to come. But nobody hardly mentions Puji's 140 in 3rd test (match winning and series winning in seaming conditions when others failed). Because supposedly it was not in 'away' conditions.

Some call him 'average'. Ok for a second lets take Puji as an 'average' test bat but on the other side they call Kohli the best/2nd best test batsman right now. LOL!
Click to expand...

agree, he's the most underrated test batsman in the international community after Azhar.
Both of them don't get the recognition they deserve in test cricket.
 
SarfiBabarHaris said:
Not only underrated in Indian cricket but one of the most underrated test crickets in world.

I am pretty sure if Kohli had played match winning 92 in last match or the 130 today against a pacy Cummins he would have been hailed and taken to the moon and people would have continued boosting those innings in years to come. But nobody hardly mentions Puji's 140 in 3rd test (match winning and series winning in seaming conditions when others failed). Because supposedly it was not in 'away' conditions.

Some call him 'average'. Ok for a second lets take Puji as an 'average' test bat but on the other side they call Kohli the best/2nd best test batsman right now. LOL!
Click to expand...

sorry typo.
Puji's 140 in 3rd test against Sri Lanka*
 
Amazing resilience and grit from Pujara..One of his best innings till date from him although he has quite a few more.
 
Have India given up on playing him outside of the subcontinent, though? And is this justified?
 
Think he will end his test career with average close to 60. Havent played upto his potential till now. Expecting him to score well in next overseas tours.
 
Brilliant test match player. Should get to 30 test centuries.

He's India best player of spin and has shown brilliant tempremeant in some difficult situations. Thankfully Kohli and the selectors have seen sense and stuck with him.
 
Another century for the champ!
Good innings on a turning wicket and nice partnership with Rahane before and after lunch when it was tough.
 
He scores a lot of centuries, and I guess he knows he has to, otherwise the talented Rohit might replace him in the Test team. :kohli
 
Muhammad10 said:
He scores a lot of centuries, and I guess he knows he has to, otherwise the talented Rohit might replace him in the Test team. :kohli
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He is doing a great job of keeping Rohit away so far.

Pujara is the best batsman in the team.

To me, below is the order of best batsman for Tests.
1) Pujara
2) Rahane
3) Rahul
4) Kohli
5) Vijay
6) Dhawan

I rate Rahul more than Kohli in Tests. He looks more assured than Kohli who seems to be trying too many shots in the longer format.
 
troodon said:
He is doing a great job of keeping Rohit away so far.

Pujara is the best batsman in the team.

To me, below is the order of best batsman for Tests.
1) Pujara
2) Rahane
3) Rahul
4) Kohli
5) Vijay
6) Dhawan

I rate Rahul more than Kohli in Tests. He looks more assured than Kohli who seems to be trying too many shots in the longer format.
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Yes, he is a vital part of India's batting lineup and their most consistent batsman in Tests. His main weakness has been batting outside Asia, where the likes of Rahane and Kohli fared a lot better.
 
troodon said:
He is doing a great job of keeping Rohit away so far.

Pujara is the best batsman in the team.

To me, below is the order of best batsman for Tests.
1) Pujara
2) Rahane
3) Rahul
4) Kohli
5) Vijay
6) Dhawan

I rate Rahul more than Kohli in Tests. He looks more assured than Kohli who seems to be trying too many shots in the longer format.
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Let reevaluate this when Kohli reaches 100 tests, and Rahul 50 tests.

Lol rating Rahul before Kohli. A bit Harsh. Even with some out of form, Kohli averages 40 per inning last few innings.
 
Pujara has become what he was expected to be - all season / all weather batsman. He was inducted late into the team because of various reasons by 2 years atleast and he matured as a batsman now. If only he was atleast this good, India could have saved or won 1 or 2 of those ignominous 11 test defeats (after deadwood' exit) under Dhoni ( again deadwoods were mostly the reason for it and so was Dhoni who was least interested in the selections.).
 
SarfiBabarHaris said:
another impactful innings , probably match saving and series winning .. this guy is sooo underrated
has played more impactful match saving and winning innings than Kohli and Rahane ..

P.S: yes yes i know Kohli and Rahane's technique are better and they have scored in AUS, SA, Eng, abc, xyz .. but Pujara played more impactful innings in Asia which were match and series deciding for example the one in SL..
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Spot on,Couldn't agree more
 
Pujara making Gavaskar seem like a quick scoring batsman today. Conditions have been tough but Pujara is playing as if he’s batting at Sabina Park in 1998. Should really have looked to be more positive in the second session at least. (He’ll pribably now go on to score a ton and these comments will look silly lol).
 
In these conditions there is always that one ball which has your name on it.. One can argue how aggressive you have to be, if he played a bit aggressively he might have scored 20-30 extra or he might have been out early and India would have been bundled for less than 150..

It’s difficult to analyse only someone playing in those conditions who knows his weakness and strengths can be best judge of what needs to be done..
 
People are frustrated with his slow innings (which is understandable)

But he held his end and after unfortunate run-outs it was good to see him spend some time on the crease.
 
WhenSultansBowled said:
People are frustrated with his slow innings (which is understandable)

But he held his end and after unfortunate run-outs it was good to see him spend some time on the crease.
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Who are these people who are frustrated by his slow innings?? Surely the opposition or neutral fans no sensible Indian cricket team fan with half a brain will be frustrated by his innings.. In times of T20 people forget its a test match where Pujara is playing in alien conditions..
 
Invaluable innings, but I just don't understand why Pujara hasn't worked on his game that he's in a situation where he accelerated from a strike of 2 to finish at 20 odd. I think aside from Kohli/Rahane, he's the most capable of playing match winning/saving knocks, but he can't bat this SLOW.

I wasn't a fan of Kohli criticising Pujara last year, and recently did so implicitly with his unnecessary intent talk. He just seems to not have given him security as a player the way Kumble seems to have done.

But even as a big fan of Pujara, this is too much.
 
Lol Indians now understanding what it feels like to have Misbah ul Haq batting your team
 
Lefthanded said:
Invaluable innings, but I just don't understand why Pujara hasn't worked on his game that he's in a situation where he accelerated from a strike of 2 to finish at 20 odd. I think aside from Kohli/Rahane, he's the most capable of playing match winning/saving knocks, but he can't bat this SLOW.

I wasn't a fan of Kohli criticising Pujara last year, and recently did so implicitly with his unnecessary intent talk. He just seems to not have given him security as a player the way Kumble seems to have done.

But even as a big fan of Pujara, this is too much.
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Rubbish. This is one gritty innings. He was playing proper test match cricket as needed by the team.

Give how tough the pitch is, India may blow through SA in the morning and bat again. Pujara and Kohlis fifties might be the difference between winning and losing teams.
 
bala977 said:
Rubbish. This is one gritty innings. He was playing proper test match cricket as needed by the team.

Give how tough the pitch is, India may blow through SA in the morning and bat again. Pujara and Kohlis fifties might be the difference between winning and losing teams.
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Same side man. Pujara fan, want India to win, and I did say 'invaluable innings.'

But I think we disagree that playing this slowly isn't a problem.

Except the Zimbabwe player, Dravid was a walking wicket in his final series, and FAF/Amla were trying to save the Delhi Test where their team batted 143 overs for 143 runs.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Pujara to return to White Rose in 2018

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce the signing of Indian Test star Cheteshwar Pujara.

The 29-year-old, who will share overseas duties with New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, is set to arrive in the UK just in time for the Leeds Bradford MCCU fixture on April 7.

Despite a deal for the Rajkot-born right-hander being struck several weeks ago, the Club’s announcement has been purposely delayed until after the Indian Premier League auction. During that time, The Board of Control for Cricket in India have scheduled a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Bengaluru, from June 14-18, with Pujara set to depart for his home country after the Royal London 50-Over clash at Lancashire, but more crucially returning in time for the away trip to Hampshire, in the Specsavers County Championship, on June 20.

There is also potential for Pujara to stay on after the India's summer Test tour to play the final home fixture against Hampshire (Sep 18) followed by the trip to New Road to face Worcestershire (Sep 24).

The addition of a second overseas batsman means Yorkshire will have three of the top six Test batsmen on their staff in 2018, with Root (three), Williamson (four) and Pujara (six).

“I’m really excited to be able to have the opportunity to represent Yorkshire once again,” he told yorkshireccc.com. “It’s always nice to be able to come over here and play some County Cricket and I’m just as excited as I was last time to represent the Club. I love the passion the people of Yorkshire have for the game and they made me feel very welcome.

“I know quite a few of the players, so I’ll just try to play my natural game and score plenty of runs for the Club.

“It’s an honour for me to play for the same county as Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar and each time I’ve played county cricket it has improved me as a player. That’s the plan again in 2018. I just want to score as many runs as possible for Yorkshire and soak up as much as I can from the whole experience.”

Pujara, who delivered a record-breaking 12th double century of his 12-year career towards the end of 2017, averages 56.68 in First-Class cricket. His County Championship record stands at 816 runs with three fifties and as many hundreds. One of each came in Yorkshire colours in the early stages of the Club’s second successive Championship winning year.

“It goes without saying that Cheteshwar is a highly-driven individual and very skilled batsman,” said Director of Cricket Martyn Moxon. “We’re delighted to have him on board.

“He proved to be a very likable character the last time he was with us and the plan is for him to relieve some of the pressure on the top order that we struggled with at times in 2017.

“Just as he did in 2015, Pujara will relish the challenge of performing in English conditions. He’s very difficult to dislodge and will hopefully dominate the crease for us during his stay.”
 
We need him this time. Pitches are gonna be spicier than last time and Anderson is in top form. Our bowlers are good and will hold up their end of the bargain.

The batsmen NEED to come good . And Pujara is key .
 
Oligochaetes said:
Atleast someone is serious in preparing for the English tour :amir2
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He is there because he has not got an IPL contract.

As a result, BCCI will allow him to play, and earn a small income.

If he was a marketable star, with a secure IPL gig to boot, he would not be playing County Cricket.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Poor guy doesn't have slogging game required for IPL. Hence nobody wants him. He is stuck with county. One of India's premiere test batsman will not see even a dime in IPL.
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So he will end his career making $2 million instead of $20 million. Still a very good life. Doesn't come across as someone who is devastated as a result.
 
He doesn't have pull/ hook shot in repertoire so he will always struggle at the places with bounce. India needs to accept this and work on finding the suitable replacement.
 
Napa said:
So he will end his career making $2 million instead of $20 million. Still a very good life. Doesn't come across as someone who is devastated as a result.
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Pujara makes around a Million dollars every year via his BCCI contracts and test match fees, he has also made decent money in 2-3 IPL seasons, he will retire with tens of crores.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Poor guy doesn't have slogging game required for IPL. Hence nobody wants him. He is stuck with county. One of India's premiere test batsman will not see even a dime in IPL.
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I'm glad he wasn't picked in Ipl auction.I think he already realises that Ipl snub was blessing in disguise for him.Last IPL he played was in 2014 and after that he had mediocre series in England and Australia which was a bit surprising considering he was highest run scorer of series in SA 2013.He was also preparing for WC 2015 and was picked for Odi series in Bangladesh (june 2014).Considering his limited over career is basically Over so him playing in IPL won't help the fortunes of Indian Test team abroad.

His overseas record before SA series was mediocre and now it's only gotten worse.If he fails again in England then i'm afraid he will be dropped
 
English wickets we usually good for batting in July/August. Pujara can't afford to play at a strike rate of 30 on such wickets. On difficult wickets , crease occupation is important but on good batting surfaces he needs to show more intent to score. I fear Pujara snail pace batting could cost India some games overseas. I think moving him upto open maybe a good solution.
 
Chrish said:
He doesn't have pull/ hook shot in repertoire so he will always struggle at the places with bounce. India needs to accept this and work on finding the suitable replacement.
Click to expand...

Rohit Sharma is India's best player of pull/hook shot.
 
Chrish said:
He doesn't have pull/ hook shot in repertoire so he will always struggle at the places with bounce. India needs to accept this and work on finding the suitable replacement.
Click to expand...

He is a soft stroke player. Perfect for Indian pitches. At this point his temperament is his biggest asset.
He just has to improve overall as a batsman. Rahane is a better bet overseas than him.
 
Let's just be completely frank here. We have big enough sample size at this point to conclude he can't do well overseas. I mean he averaged 27 something in county season. So, India needs to employ horses for the courses policy and select the Xi based on where they are playing. Keep Pujara, Dhawan etc. in SC and find someone else for outside.

Murali Vijay also is declining and I don;t see him as a long term prospect any longer. So, blood the young batsmen for these spots. First time ever Indian pace attack looks threatening and it will be shame to be let down consistently due to poor batting performances.
 
His strike rate is just fine.. It never was an issue in the first place and Kohli was being an idiot with intent garbage. I have a feeling he allowed Pujara to play his natural game in last test where he scored very important 50.
 
Pujara strike rate was fine, he has his own strength and weakness.
His strike rate was 25-30 but he can play @40 on good pitches overseas which is fine.
In subcontinent he scores @50 easily
 
If you are not good for IPL, you are not. As simple as that. If you are good in counties, you are good there, that's it.

Nothing to do with 'leaving IPL' because 'better preparation' for England tour. All this talk is soundbites without any content.
 
IPL is a circus that caters to the need of casual fans who seriously think overseas players care about India or Indian fans. LOL

David Warner who said that "speak English" remark to Indian player is worth million dollar over there. Whole thing is a sick joke really.
 
Chrish said:
IPL is a circus that caters to the need of casual fans who seriously think overseas players care about India or Indian fans. LOL

David Warner who said that "speak English" remark to Indian player is worth million dollar over there. Whole thing is a sick joke really.
Click to expand...
Nobody in India thinks that overseas players care about India. In IPL money factor is so pronounced that it is impossible to think that any player is playing for anything else.

That being said, a player will definitely develop friendship with his team mates and attachment with franchise city that he represents. That is natural.
 
Chrish said:
His strike rate is just fine.. It never was an issue in the first place and Kohli was being an idiot with intent garbage. I have a feeling he allowed Pujara to play his natural game in last test where he scored very important 50.
Click to expand...

His opinion on Pujara changed after he scored that series winning century in Galle/ Colombo. I don't think Pujara will ever be dropped/ asked to change his game again in test cricket.
 
Running out of excuses for him.

If he has a poor England tour - all 5 tests - we should start looking elsewhere.

He plays county cricket and has been since 2014 so hopefully should go okay.
 
He will do well in England. Captain should back him to play all 5 tests.

He won't be able to match the Dravids, Laxmans, Rahanes and Kohlis overseas but I think in the England tour he will do well. Should persist with him. County cricket experience will help him too. I have my bet on the guy for the England series.
 
Been a believer in Pujara's batting ever since his 525 ball innings turned a game and a series around for India.

If it wasn't for those 2 brainless runouts Indian may very well have won that series.
 
Chrish said:
IPL is a circus that caters to the need of casual fans who seriously think overseas players care about India or Indian fans. LOL
Click to expand...

In which professional sport do you believe the players choose their fans over money? Do tell...
 
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