Sports desk13 minutes ago
- Copy link
Sehwag, Dravid, Sachin went to Rohit, Pujara and Kohli. Now all three have also gone. In the Indian Test team, we have got the best opener in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal in place of Rohit. Shubman Gill has made number-4 in exactly the same as Kohli made. Pujara has announced retirement today but, the search for a batsman like him on number-3 in Team India is still going on.
By the way, Pujara was out of the team for two years. He played his last Test match in June 2023. Since then, the Indian team tried Gill, Sai Sudarshan, Karun Nair, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul on number-3. These 6 options together scored runs at an average of just 31 in 45 innings of 24 matches on number-3. Pujara has retired in the Test with an average of around 44.
Obviously we have not got the option of Pujara yet. After all, what were the features in Pujara, which are finding it difficult for the selection committee to replace it.
To know this, we spoke to former Chief Selector Chetan Sharma of the Indian team. He said- If you find an alternative to Pujara on the basis of data, then your search will never be completed. Pujara’s quality is beyond the figures that cricket fans are eyeing.
You pay attention to who scored the most runs, who has the most centuries, who are the most fours and sixes? These figures are glamorous but some aspects are also more important for good number-3 than these.
You have to see who spends the most time at the crease? Who plays the most balls? Who withstand the most balls on the body? Who can leave the most balls? Such figures are not considered sexy in cricket. Such players do not go much attention. Neither fans nor advertisers. Because of this, such players are not able to come on the radar of selectors many times.
All the quality required for number-3 is rarely in one player. Therefore, it is difficult to get the option of Rahul Dravid or Cheteshwar Pujara. We were very lucky as a cricketing nation that Pujara was ready before Dravid’s retirement. Now the matter is not like this.
Another selector said on the condition of anonymity not to make the name public- never won the series in Australia before 2018. When won, twice in a row. Whether it is a win of 2018-19 or a win of 2020-21. Who remember you more? Sometimes Kohli will come in your mind and sometimes Rishabh Pant. But, the truth is that if there were no Pujaras in both those series, then India’s victory would not have been possible.
In the Gaba Test, Cheteshwar Pujara had 11 balls of Australian pacers in the body of Pujara.
Remember the Sydney Test of 2021. Pujara hurt everywhere from head to toe. In order to blunt the Australian bowling edge on that pitch, we needed a lion batsman at the crease who would stand as a wall. Now if we look at the record book, then you will not understand that story of Pujara’s bravery.
Similarly, take the 2018 series. In this, Pujara scored more than 500 runs in 4 matches with 3 centuries. Most of the teams including both teams. Pujara played more than 1200 balls in this series. No other batsman was able to play even 700 balls.
He further said- There is no shortage of talent in India. We will definitely get the option of Pujara. There is no shortage of talent even in Sai Sudarshan, Padikkal or Ishwar. These batsmen have to understand the philosophy of number-3. Like Pujara or Dravid, they have to show the attitude to bat such as if they were lying down on the pitch. If needed, they will also have to face balls on the body. The technology will always have to be improved.
Pujara’s quality can also be understood from the statements of some legendary cricketers that he has given after Pujara’s retirement. Yuvraj Singh says- Pujara was a cricketer who used to sacrifice his mind, his body and his soul for the country. Gautam Gambhir, the current coach of Team India, says-
It is not necessary that only the aggression of a player is proved only if fours and sixes or shouting on the field. Irfan has tweeted for Pujara- your aggression was reflected in your defense. You have always made India feel proud.
, Read the news of retirement of Cheteshwar Pujara …
Batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has retired from international cricket. He informed about retirement on social media on Sunday. Pujara played his last international match in June 2023 (Test). Read full news …