Cheteshwar Pujara Was Positively Flowing, As England Bowlers Looked Exasperated Against Him: David Lloyd

Cricketer turned commentator David Lloyd said that Indian batsman flowed positively against England on Day 3 of the Headingley Test.

On Day 3, India made a resilient comeback in the game after their horrific first innings and ended with 215/2 with Cheteshwar Pujara (91*) and skipper Virat Kohli (45*) still batting for the visitors.

Cheteshwar Pujara has taken over from Rahul Dravid in this team: David Lloyd

Pujara, who is often criticised for his extreme defensive approach, orchestrated India’s fightback as he changed the gears while batting in the second innings against the England bowlers and pummelled a total of 16 boundaries from the 180 balls he played at a strike rate of 50.56.

Lloyd said England bowlers were frustrated after Pujara not only stood like a rock against them but also flowed runs constantly in a positive manner.

“Make no mistake, he’s (Cheteshwar Pujara) a real sticker, and has taken over from Rahul Dravid in this team. But in this innings, he was positively flowing. Whether they were looking for extravagant swing or not, they lost their discipline,” Lloyd wrote in his column for Daily Mail. 

“Cheteshwar Pujara has had a lean time in this series, because England have done for him on and around off stump. But on Friday all the bowlers looked exasperated as they kept bowling leg side to him. It’s exactly where he wants it!” he added.

Cheteshwar Pujara remains unbeaten on 91

Pujara made some great partnerships during the course of his innings, first, he combined with opener Rohit Sharma where the former looked more aggressive than his partner in their 82-run stand.

Later when he was joined by skipper Virat Kohli, after Rohit’s dismissal, the two batsmen kept the scoreboard moving and forged an unbeaten partnership of 99 runs with India trailing by 139 runs to England’s first-innings lead.

India are currently leading the five-match Test series 1-0.

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