Not Jasprit Bumrah or Mitchell Starc! Cheteshwar Pujara picks the toughest bowlers ever

Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who announced his retirement on August 24, revealed the four bowlers he considered the toughest opponents of his career. Pujara did not include Jasprit Bumrah in the list and picked two former South African pacers along with bowlers from England and Australia.

The 37-year-old cricketer ended his 13-year international career. Pujara represented India in 108 internationals, including 103 Tests. He scored 7,195 runs in Tests at an average of 43.60 with 19 centuries. The right-handed batter played key roles in India’s Test series wins in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21.

Cheteshwar Pujara Picks the Toughest Bowlers He Faced in His Career

In an interview with the Times of India, Cheteshwar Pujara picked four bowlers who challenged him the most. The 37-year-old named Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, James Anderson, and Pat Cummins as the toughest opponents he faced during his career.

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"Across my career, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, James Anderson, and Pat Cummins have been among the most challenging bowlers I’ve faced," Pujara said.

Pujara struggled against high-quality fast bowlers, especially from South Africa. He managed to score 882 runs in 17 Tests at an average of just 30.41 against South Africa. The batter had an average of 28.15 in 19 innings in the country.

Pujara struggled against Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, averaging 30 and 19, respectively, and was dismissed six times between the two. He also struggled against James Anderson. The former No. 3 batter was dismissed by the English pacer 12 times at an average of 21.80.

He had an average of 39.51 in Tests against England overall, but his average in English conditions was 29. Pujara had an average of 22.50 against Pat Cummins and was dismissed eight times by the Australian bowler.

There Have Been Many Important Ones - Cheteshwar Pujara on Favourite Test Innings

Cheteshwar Pujara also named five Test innings from his career. The right-handed batter stated that he values his 92 in the second innings against Australia at Bengaluru in the 2016-17 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).

"There have been many important ones, but a few stand out. My 145 not out in Colombo against Sri Lanka, where I had to open the innings, is special," Pujara opined.

"Then there’s the 123 at Adelaide in 2018, on the opening day of the series that we eventually won. My double hundreds in India also stay close to me — 206 not out against England in Ahmedabad (2012-13) and 204 against Australia in Hyderabad (2012-13). Another knock I really value is my 92 in the second innings against Australia at Bengaluru in the 2016-17 season."

Cheteshwar Pujara’s Five Favourite Test Innings

Pujara scored an unbeaten 145 in Sri Lanka in 2015, which helped India secure a 117-run victory and clinch the three-match series 2-1. He also scored 123 in Adelaide during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener. The batter was instrumental in India winning the series 2-1.

Pujara included his double centuries against England and Australia in India during the 2012-13 season at No. 3 and 4. It is worth mentioning that both victories came within five months.

The Saurashtra cricketer also highlighted his 92 in the second innings against Australia at Bengaluru in 2017. He guided India to level the four-match series at 1-1. The Men in Blue went on to win the series by a 2-1 margin.

Also read: Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement runs into massive controversy; Congress MP involved