- Mar 4, 2024
- May 17, 2023
Cheteshwar Pujara has been a wonderful asset for India in Test Cricket. Pujara has had a stellar Test career so far. Coming into the Delhi Test against Australia, Pujara had played 99 Test matches and had scored 7021 runs at an average of 44.15 and a strike rate of 44.44. He has scored 19 centuries and 34 half-centuries and has the highest score of an unbeaten 206 to his name against Australia.
The man from Saurashtra has the unique ability to play enterprising innings and use the best of his abilities during times of crisis. An example can be taken from the 2018 and 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy editions which were held in Australia where Pujara took a lot of blows to his body and defended himself against hostile spells of bowling.
On the occasion of his 100th Test in Delhi, the Indian Team got together and in a sweet moment. They gave the 35-year-old a guard of honour at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Pujara had a moment to savour as he gently soaked in the applause from the stadium and also was very happy on receiving this gesture from the Indian Team.
Here is the video-
A guard of honour for Cheteshwar Pujara. pic.twitter.com/oDPD8fbLXU
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 17, 2023
In a pre-match press conference ahead of the second Test, he said that he would give his all for India in Test Cricket and that his ultimate dream is to help India win the Test Championship title. India lost the Test Championship final against New Zealand at Lords in 2021. The cycle was 2019-2021.
“Hopefully we win this Test and move on and win another which will ensure we qualify for the WTC Finals. Yes, my dream is to win that WTC Final for the Indian team. Hopefully, once we qualify, we’ll look towards that.” Pujara had said in a pre-match press conference. He picked Pat Cummins as a bowler who would be a handful to face in Australian conditions. He also picked James Anderson, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.