CHETESHWAR PUJARA HAS BEEN AN UNSUNG HERO OF INDIAN CRICKET!

• How often have we not heard about the maxim, the time is the best leveller? Very many times. As we know, time heals everything and anything, including some of the grave wounds/injuries, both mentally and physically. Of course, people will come and go, events will keep happening perpetually, fresh water will replace old, and likewise, new players will step into the shoes of the old players in every sporting discipline, including the one we Indians so dearly hold close to our hearts, cricket. Every generation witnesses marquee players who not only showcase their god-gifted skills to patrons for a considerable period but also establish such indelible footprints that they become an example worthy of emulation. Team India is blessed with several cricketers.

PC: Cricbuzz.com

• The same logic applies to renowned Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who was known for his doggedness, resilience, perseverance, and steely resolve to fight the opposition out with defence as the best form of attack. Indian cricket has been fortunate to witness a steady supply chain of batters having donned the colours with such distinction over the years. Pujara stepped into the big shoes of the original ‘The Wall’ as Rahul Dravid was known. Of course, true connoisseurs of cricket would know the immeasurable contributions of Dravid the batter in the crucial one-down position by showcasing his skills against every opposition attack, both at home as well as overseas conditions. The stability Dravid brought to the Indian batting lineup was simply remarkable.

• Alongside Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid formed the fulcrum of Indian batting for nearly 15 years, serving the country with great aplomb. The statistics speak for themselves. No sooner than Dravid retired from international cricket, especially Tests, Pujara stepped in to carry forward the legacy with his uniquely resilient ways to wear down the bowlers in the most classical ways of Test cricket. The batting of Pujara was often considered dogged, bereft of the flamboyance associated with some of the great batting stars, but no less effective than several other stalwart attacking batters. The position of one-drop in Tests is extremely critical, and Pujara never offered any gift of throwing away his wicket casually.

PC: The Federal

• The most striking aspect of Pujara’s batsmanship was to hold one end up and allow other batters to freely score runs. Other batters may offer a chance to the bowling side early in the innings; however, Pujara’s solid and steady batsmanship ensured his wicket was always earned. Yes, there were occasions when Pujara’s slow batting caused cricket opinionators to question his modus operandi. Nonetheless, the Team’s cause was served to the desired levels was never in doubt so long as Pujara was at the crease. Pujara will be considered as one of the bravest and most effective servants of Team India in the longer format of the game. Here’s wishing the other Wall a very eventful and fun-filled second innings in whatever he chooses in the future.