England, India, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah
Credit: Credits: Getty Images

Sanjay Bangar, India’s batting coach, pointed out balance and footwork as the two areas that Cheteshwar Pujara had to work after the latter’s heroic knock in the fourth England vs India Test.

Pujara had entered the series under immense pressure. He managed to make it to the squad despite averaging just 14 for Yorkshire. Not surprisingly, he warmed the bench in the first Test at Edgbaston. However, when the batting department failed miserably, the team did not wait long to recall him for the Lord’s Test.

But it was a comeback to forget. In perfect bowling conditions, Indian batsmen once again failed and Pujara was not an exception either. But the right-hander did not take long to prove his worth. In the third Test, he scored 72 in the second innings to help India set England a target of 521. And with form and confidence on his side, he played one of his best knocks on Friday,

In reply to England’s 245, India were in control with Virat Kohli and Pujara batting well and in the middle of a solid stand. At 141 for 2, India were looking destined to take a sizeable lead. However, the game turned on its head when Sam Curran sent back Kohli for 92 and end the 92-run stand.

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ENG vs IND 2018: 'Struggling' Cheteshwar Pujara Had To Get His Balance And Footwork Right, Says Sanjay Bangar
Cheteshwar Pujara was coming off a rough patch: Sanjay Bangar (England vs India, Credits: Getty)

Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya,  R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami did not last long as India were reduced to 195 for 8. A lead at that time was looking out of sight as Pujara was fast running out of partners. With Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah now left,Pujara faced a herculean task to revive India’s innings.

However, Pujara showed his worth again and scored an unbeaten 132 to help India post 273 and take a handy 27-run lead. He added 78 runs for the last two wickets that swung the momentum in India’s favour.

Speaking after the day’s play, Sanjay Bangar admitted that Pujara was struggling when he entered the series. He further said that the batsman worked on certain areas with the coaching staff.

“He was coming off a rough patch and also he hadn’t really scored as many runs as he’d have liked in the last 10-11 innings for India,” Bangar said. “He was struggling a bit when he joined the team. But you cannot really make decisions based on how one does in the first-class format because he’s a proven international player. Obviously, certain areas had to be worked on. He had to get his balance right and he also had to get his footwork right. Those were the two areas we worked on as a support-staff group – including Ravi and myself.”

Bangar also had a word of praise for Pujara’s mental strength.

“Talent can not only be seen in class, but also in a strong will,” Bangar said. “He showed mental strength, patience and the concentration today. If you have all those characteristics then you can show that, even if you have some limitations in terms of scoring areas or not possessing all the strokes, then you can become an effective Test player.”

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ENG vs IND 2018: 'Struggling' Cheteshwar Pujara Had To Get His Balance And Footwork Right, Says Sanjay Bangar
Cheteshwar Pujara showed mental strength: Sanjay Bangar (England vs India, Credits: Getty)

Meanwhile, England finished the day on 6 for no loss. The hosts lead the five-match series 2-1.

 

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