Cheteshwar Pujara’s Top 10 Test Knocks: A Batting Extravaganza!

Cheteshwar Pujara’s batting is reminiscent of bygone eras, not so much in temperament as in technique (he bats with his bottom hand strangely for someone who earns a profession playing Test cricket). In a time when batters prefer to counterattack, Pujara is a successful defensive batsman who relishes wearing down attacks before savouring them. He changes to spinners but keeps the ball on the carpet; he never gets tired of scoring runs regardless of the opposition or the location; and his conditioning is concentrated on what is needed for sustained periods of batting rather than on building enormous biceps with tattoos.

• 135 against England

In November 2012, Pujara scored 135 runs in a single innings against England at the Wankhede Stadium. He batted at number three and faced 350 balls in accomplishing this feat, hitting 12 boundaries. He had a strike rate just over 35 and pitched a leisurely, controlled inning. His century helped India reach 300 in the first inning. Nevertheless, India lost the game.

• 143 against Sri Lanka

Pujara achieved another test century in November 2017 at Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Stadium, this time against Sri Lanka. He played another strong innings, this time 362 balls, with a strike rate of almost 39%. Only 14 of the innings very slow 14 boundaries were hit. With the help of his century, along with brilliant performances from Vijay, Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, the hosts were able to score a staggering 610 runs in their first innings and go on to easily win the game.

• 145 against Sri Lanka

At the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, the seasoned batsman scored his seventh test century against Sri Lanka in August 2015. He batted first in the game’s opening innings and scored an undefeated 145 runs off 289 balls. Another one of his collected, calm innings with a strike rate of about 50 was this one. The Indians were able to surpass the 300-run mark in their opening inning thanks to this 14-bounce performance, which also aided his squad in winning the test. Pujara’s outstanding pounding effort earned him the title of Man of the Match.

• 153 against South Africa

In the second innings of the first test between India and South Africa at the Wanderers in December 2013, Pujara scored his sixth test century. He only hit 25 times in the first inning, but 153 times in the second. He used 270 balls in his 270-ball innings, which had 21 home runs. He contributed to India scoring 400 runs in the second inning. The result of the game was a draw.

• 153 against Sri Lanka

The right-hand batsman was in outstanding form during the first test of the series against Sri Lanka at Galle in July 2017. He faced 265 balls while batting at position three and scored 153 or so runs to support the Indian innings. He hit the ball to the boundary 13 times, for a strike rate of just over 50%. His aggressive batting and Dhawan’s 190 helped the visitors win the game by helping them reach 600 runs in the first innings.

• 159 against New Zealand

At Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in August 2012, Pujji scored his first test century against New Zealand. To reach this milestone, he had to face 306 balls and hit 19 fours and even a six. India won the match by an innings and 115 runs in the first innings thanks to his century, scoring 438.

• 193 against Australia

At the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2019, Cheteshwar Pujara came perilously close to scoring a double century in the fourth test against Australia. He faced 373 balls in this innings and hit 22 boundaries before being substituted by Lyon with just seven runs remaining in the innings. However, this significant wicket enabled the visitors to score 622 in their first innings, earning him the Man of the Match honour.

• 202 against Australia

The Indian top-order batsman beat the imposing Australians at Ranchi in March 2017 to record his third test double-century. India was able to take the lead after the first innings thanks to Pujara’s steady batting in response to Australia’s first-innings total of 451. He hit 21 boundaries and 525 balls in his 202. He struck out about 33% of the time. But his perseverance paid off, as India scored 603 runs in their opening innings. Pujji was named Man of the Match after the game ended in a draw.

• 204 against Australia

The veteran right-hander delivered yet another outstanding performance in Hyderabad during the second test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in March 2013. He batted at number three and played this superb performance in 341 balls, hitting a massive six and putting the ball to the boundary line 30 times. His immaculate inning helped India gain a significant first-performance advantage, and India went on to win the match by an innings and 135 runs. Pujara’s excellent batting once more earned him the title of Man of the Match.

• 206 against England

Pujara’s first test double-century was in November 2012 at Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium against a strong English team. He batted at position three and made an errorless 206 runs in 389 balls. In his innings, he also had a strike rate of just over 50 and hit 21 boundaries. His outstanding performance enabled the guests to score a staggering 521 runs in their opening inning. Pujara was obviously selected Player of the Match because India won the match.

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