There Are Some Innings Where I Had To Take The Bullet And That’s Why They Call Me The ‘Rock’: Cheteshwar Pujara
Updated - 09 Aug 2021, 08:07 PM
India Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara recently recalled some games where he had to take a few blows on his body for the team. Cheteshwar Pujara made his Test debut back in 2010 and after three years became India’s regular number three in Tests. The right-handed batsman underlined they call him ‘the rock’ due to his ability to weather the storm.
While Cheteshwar Pujara could not do immensely well in Australia recently, his crease occupation was instrumental to India’s win. The Saurashtra batsman has aggregated over 6000 runs in 83 Tests at 45.86, with 18 centuries. While Pujara’s recent form has dipped, having not scored a hundred in two years, he remains a critical part of the Test team.
Cheteshwar Pujara stated there are times when one needs to face the bullet, especially batting at the top-order in overseas conditions. The 33-year old also talked about the importance of patience and temperament, claiming why people call him ‘the rock’.
“There are times when you need to face the bullet. If you are batting at the top of the order for the Indian team, especially overseas, you need to have a lot of guts. You need to have lots of patience and temperament. There are some innings where I had to take the bullet and that’s why they call me the ‘rock’,” Pujara told BBC’s Test Match Special Podcast.
It was difficult to judge the bounce of the ball: Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara recalled the India tour of Australia, where the bounce was uneven and the ball kept hitting his body. The right-handed batsman revealed he told himself that he wouldn’t let the ball hit the gloves or bat. Hence, that was Pujara’s game plan in Australia for any deliveries bowled short of a back length.
“It was difficult to judge the bounce of the ball. And there were balls which were hitting my body. I just told myself that even if it hits my body, I will keep my hands down. I don’t want the ball to hit my gloves or bat. And that was mainly the game plan for any that was bowled short of back of a length,” he added.
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