IND vs SA: Cheteshwar Pujara Has Got A Lot Of Patience And Ability To Defend, But Two Things Are Plaguing Him – Aakash Chopra

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has said that the Test specialist batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has got good patience and ability to defend and he pinpointed two things that are plaguing him.

Cheteshwar Pujara has looked completely out of form in the three innings he has batted in the South Africa tour. In the first game at SuperSport Park, Centurion where India won in a dominating manner, Pujara scored 0 &16 runs. Pujara’s poor form continued at the Wanderers, Johannesburg and he scored only 3 runs in the first innings.

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Talking to Star Sports, Chopra said that an “uncanny pattern” has developed in Pujara’s dismissals and his intent to score runs is very poor. He said:

“Pujara has got a lot of patience and ability to defend as well. But two things are plaguing him. First is his intent to score runs. He is not even hitting the half volley with full might and we can see an uncanny pattern in his dismissals.”

Extra Bounce, Low Hands, Lunging Forward… That’s A Recipe For Disaster – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator further added that Pujara lunges forward with low hands which is “a recipe for disaster”. He elaborated:

“He had nicked Ngidi’s delivery in the first innings of the Centurion Test. If we look at his hands and the height of the delivery, why is he even trying to play off the front foot instead of using the depth of the crease? If you are always lunging forward with low hands, bowlers are going to enjoy bowling against you on South African pitches. Extra bounce, low hands, lunging forward… that’s a recipe for disaster.” 

Cheteshwar Pujara’s place in the Indian team has once again come under scrutiny as the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari are waiting to get a permanent place in the playing XI.

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