Cheteshwar Pujara Picks The Toughest India-Australia Test Series He's Been A Part Of

India-Australia rivalry is one of the greatest sporting spectacles of the 21st century and the recent series has once again proved that the rivalry never fails to push the envelope beyond the realms of reality.

And, in every era, there are cricketers who become the poster boys of the rivalry. In the current era, it is undoubtedly Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, who are the biggest talking points every time these two great cricketing nations lock horns.

But while Virat Kohli might dominate the narrative every time India plays Australia, it is actually Cheteshwar Pujara who comes out of syllabus for the Aussies. Pujara has been the constant nemesis for the Australians ever since he made his debut, coincidentally against the same opposition, back in 2010.

Since Pujara’s debut, no batsman around the world has scored runs at a better average than the Indian No.3. He is the second-highest run-scorer in the world against Australia after Alastair Cook, who played 8 more innings than Cheteshwar Pujara for his 1995 runs (45 innings) at an average of 46.39.

In the 37 innings that Pujara has batted against Australia, he has scored 1893 runs at an average of 54.08 which includes 10 50s, 5 hundred, and two double-tons.

Pujara was one of the major reasons behind India winning the 2018-19 series in Australia. In seven innings, he smashed 521 runs with the help of three hundred.

He might have not got the same number of runs this time around but the manner in which blunted the Australian attack in a couple of fourth inning knocks was a sight to behold. He still finished as the second-highest run-getter for India- 271 runs with.3 half-centuries- but more than the runs, it was the number of deliveries (928) that he chewed up that exemplifies his contribution.

“It is one of the best series. Maybe number-wise it might not sound like a big number… it wasn’t bad… but it you compare it to the last series that I played in Australia where I scored three centuries, then yes,” Cheteshwar Pujara told senior cricket journalists Jamie Alter and Meha Bhardwaj Alter on their YouTube channel ‘Cricket Fables.

“But if we look at this particular series, there was only one century from the Indian team and two from the Australian team in all four matches, so there were not many runs scored because the pitches were challenging. If I look at this series, it the one of the best series I have been part of considering the kind of team which we had.” he added.

Which is the toughest India-Australia Test series that Cheteshwar Pujara has been a part of?

The recently concluded India-Australia series will go down in the history books as one of the greatest-ever Test rubber of all times.

But according to Pujara, it is the 2017 home series against Australia that will always remain at the top in terms of the challenge that he and the Indian team faced.

India won that series by 2-1 but it was not without hiccups. Virat Kohli’s men were thumped by 333 runs on a rank turner in the first Test in Pune.

The Men in Blue, however, came roaring back in Bengaluru courtesy of a 75-run-win on a tricky wicket. Cheteshwar Pujara’s 92 in the second innings was one of the major reasons behind India being able to post a sizeable 4th innings total.

Pujara then backed it up with a double-hundred in Ranchi. He eventually finished as India’s highest run-scorer- 409- and the 2nd leading run-getter after Steve Smith, who racked up 499 runs.

“I felt it is one of the best Test victories I have been part of. Each and every time you play in Australia or against Australia, they have always been a challenging team to play against. We remember the 2017 Test series which I feel was the toughest Test series I have been part of. Although it was in India, the kind of challenge they threw at us was really good, so wherever we play against Australia it has never been easy and victories are always tough to earn, so we always enjoy victories against the Australian team.” said Pujara.

Also Read: Still Have Aspiration To Play White-Ball Cricket For Team India: Cheteshwar Pujara