Batting Ka Pujara
By Gaurang
March 6 2013
Cheteshwar Pujara, India's new batting sensation, is a devotee of the art of Test match batting. He is already following in the footsteps of a past Master, Sunil Gavaskar, whom he equalled when he scored his 1000th Test run in only his 11th Test match, the fastest in terms of Tests played by an Indian, and he looks set for the long haul.
The first thing you notice about Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease is his relaxed upright stance, classically orthodox, and pleasing to the eye. What follows when the ball is delivered is more of the same, copy book technique, in both defense and offense with impeccable footwork. The next thing you notice is that he plays with a very straight bat when the ball is full and if it is short he uses the horizontal bat to both cut and hook/pull in a very traditional manner. The latter stroke has resulted in his downfall a couple of times, but he should not put it away, just hone it as to when to use it. He is the complete package as far as stroke making ability is concerned.
Another aspect of his batting that thrills the tradionalist is that without appearing to belabor the ball or give it an almighty whack, he seems to find the fence quite regularly. The great VVS Laxman in the commentary box was gushing about the way most of his forceful shots seemed to find the gaps. Something that VVS modestly didn't say was that it reminded him of himself, but the implication was clear, here was a true Test match batsman who knows what it is to conceive, organize and go about building Test match innings. And he has had lots of practice for that role. It is a very interesting bit of trivia that he has scored triple hundreds at all levels of the longer game, from U-14, to U-19 to U-22 to First Class levels. The only remaining level where this milestone has not yet been reached is the Test match level. With two double centuries in his first 11 Test matches, he has clearly shown that he will not lack for opportunities to do just that in the future.
It is amazing how quickly talent spots talent. Back in 2008 or so, Sunil Gavaskar was already raving about Pujara, calling him a "Lambi Race Ka Ghoda", i.e. one who looks to be good for the long run. And how true Sunny has proven. The next challenge for Pujara will be to succeed overseas. His runs have all come at home, but looking at the way he seems unpeturbed by pace or bounce, except for that impetuous tendency to hook sometimes, he should be able to rise to that challenge as well. If he does, India will truly have unearthed a worthy replacement for the legendary Rahul Dravid, and the No. 3 spot in the batting line up looks safe for many years to come, in the a hands of a true batting ka Pujara.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:03:21:18:26:28 by Birbal.
However he did well in West Indies when he helped India win a match with 50 and 96 not out...
See:
[www.cricketarchive.com]
so keep doing your puja to cricket and puja.
He has an appetite for runs which is good, but let's wait and see if he can evolve abroad. But he does fill an important gap.
Quote:thirdman
His real worth will be proved in SA, Oz, Eng, and NZ. Hopefully he is not a FTB like Sehwag.
performances at home should not be discounted...and are as imporant as overseas performances
I remember the English press were calling Trott the best since Bradman when he averaged over 60 in his first 20 or so Tests... Well so is Pujara...but don't expect the Indian press to BIG him up like that...
amla has also excelled in ODIs as opener. no need for pujara to play ODIs yet. may be after 2-3 years when he would have become more complete
The english will make seaming ptiches under the assumption that that will filter out subcontinental sides
So Pujara will be called into the ODI side.
actually Dhawan's game is ideally suited for ODis....so as soon as he is fit...he will be back as might be Murali Vijay.
His game is very different to Sehwag's, so always had a chance to be successful in conditions where the ball did a bit...
Was worried about his temperament...but now that can be put away too...
With a huge home season ahead...he should be THE no. 3 in the batting line up...
However, I do think he is not as swift of foot as Dravid and will probably face a tough time overseas in seaming conditions...
Interesting to note that only 17 of his 50 Tests are outside India and subcontinent...and his average there is 29.51...with one century and two fifties in 29 innings...
Quote:Birbal
His stance has become a bit more crouching. But still the same amount of grit and zen master like concentration
Well said Birbal.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019:01:03:15:44:52 by Birbal.
He was able to bat as per his wishes - whenever he wanted he accelerated.