Cheteshwar Pujara: 86 Test matches. 6267 runs. 18 centuries. 46.08 average.
These are stellar numbers that demand and command respect. Add to that the many invaluable Test innings that Pujara has played to save India in tough conditions.
The team's insurance policy, which allows the others to bat with freedom, with the knowledge that they will catch one end, is always the one who pulls it out in trying times.
It is not often that an India batsman defines the Test series in Australia, but Pujara did exactly that in the 2018-19 series.
His batting style is built on patience but it would be grossly unfair to assume that Pujara is only about patience. Then again, patience should not be underestimated as it is a difficult skill to acquire. This includes, among other things, the ability to be switched on and off and to absorb constant pressure over an extended period of time.
Having said that, everyone in the world can have patience, but if you don't have a game of putting out good balls, ball after ball, you won't go far. That's the other side of Pujara - he has the batting skills that allow him not only to keep good balls out, but also to score truckloads of runs in the toughest format of cricket.
Pujara is exceptional and aggressive against the spinners. He can spend his time against the fast bowlers but he faces the spinners from the very beginning. Using his legs against spin is a masterclass. He dances down the track to reach the pitch of the ball against offspinners, and uses the depth of the crease against the left arm or legspinner to play from the back foot. He doesn't go airborne against spin, and he doesn't sweep much, but he still makes quality spinners ineffective. As opposed to speed, he has always preferred to play the waiting game, but it was not for his lack of stroke: he used to punch, drive, flick, and occasionally pull and hook.
While his game against spin is still intact, his technique against fast bowling has been under scrutiny of late. Since we started this article with some numbers, let's look at some others for reference.
Pujara played in all the Test matches that India played in the first two-year WTC cycle. Their average of less than 30 over that period can no longer be seen as a deviation.
Not that he didn't play important innings (Sydney and Brisbane immediately came to mind) but his numbers are moderate.
What's wrong with Pujara? Has his technique changed?
To focus on that second question: He seems to be moving his legs at a much lower speed than before, and has resulted in fewer strokes.
For a lot of batsmen, making a stroke is all about the position of the feet at the crease, and Pujara is definitely one of the breed. He's not Chris Gayle, who will present the ball, and he's not even Rohit Sharma, who uses the graceful downswing of his bat, and proper body-weight transfer, to make up for his lack of leg speed. . Pujara doesn't have a high backlift, and he keeps the bat near the bottom of the handle, which reduces the swing of the bat considerably. This means that his stroke-making must begin with getting the body in the right position to execute the shots.
Until recently, that hasn't happened. The front foot isn't going down the pitch, and the back foot isn't going inside the box either. While there is still a sincere effort to play the ball to its merits, which is the core of Pujara's batting DNA, the lack of leg speed on either side has compromised his efficacy.
This was the reason for the pattern of dismissals against Pat Cummins in Australia - the ball was going ever so far after pitching and finding the outside edge of the bat (which, to be fair, didn't really hang out). If you look closely at most of those dismissals, you will find that Pujara was always stuck at the crease. Any ball that does not allow you to move forward is played from the back foot. Of course some balls will produce an error of judgment and you will be stuck in the crease, but if this is happening too often, alarm bells should be sounded.
In my humble opinion, it's time for Pujara to take a closer look at his leg pace, as it is slowing him down more than the circumstances and the circumstances. He has great confidence in his ability to hold the crease for long periods of time and has created a game that is almost risk free (the bat rarely leaves his body) which will often keep him in good shape. But if he's not moving his feet to create scoring opportunities—and it has nothing to do with the much-talked-about "intent" or lack thereof—he's increasing his chances of getting a ball that stuns his defense. disband soon. later.
Similar to the WTC cycle, Pujara's average in England in nine Tests and two tours is below 30 with just one century. What has gone wrong for him in England may be the subject of a long and deep assessment. Foreign tours to any country only happen once every few years, and how you are placed in relation to your personal appearance at that time should be closely scrutinized.
Let me make it clear that I am not even suggesting to entertain the idea of replacing Pujara for the England series, as India needs an anchor in Pujara for the other batsmen to flourish.
I remember my time with Pujara at Kolkata Knight Riders camp in 2008 and an incident unfolds. He and I were both born with two left feet, and while I never went on the dance floor, Pujara did, at times. He said this was because dancing would improve his leg movement while batting. Count on him to think of batting at the discotheque!
I admired his honesty and simplicity in saying so, and I have been a vocal fan of Pujara for a long time. He doesn't make him like himself anymore: he's keeping a certain brand of batting alive.
Perhaps, it's time for her to put on dancing shoes and hit the dance floor once again.