"He Is Successful Because He Is Fearless": Cheteshwar Pujara Praises Rishabh Pant

India and Chennai Super Kings batsman Cheteshwar Pujara categorically dismissed chances of fans seeing him attempting a reverse scoop shot like Rishabh Pant in the upcoming IPL 2021 edition. Pujara was bought by the CSK franchise for his base price of INR 50 lakh, bringing him back in IPL gold after the 2014 edition.

Cheteshwar Pujara has started batting in CSK nets and was seen to have changed his stance a bit and added much more flair and aerial shots in his armor than before and looked ready to give it all to prove to his detractors that he is not just a red-ball marvel but can do what the T20 players can do and do it well.

“Never! I Can’t Do That. I Can’t Do That: Cheteshwar Pujara On Playing A Reverse Scoop Like Rishabh Pant

In a chat with ESPNCricinfo, Cheteshwar Pujara was speaking about some of his favorite shots in the T20 format and he recalled one of his most daredevil shots when he scooped a fast bowler over fine-leg. The CSK player further added that he has played the shot around 3 or 4 times in the IPL as well, and stated that he had even scored a boundary playing the scoop shot in IPL 2014.

“The scoop over fine leg against a fast bowler (is my most fearless stroke). Even in the IPL, I have done that. At least three or four times. I remember getting a four that way when we played in Dubai (in 2014),” said Pujara in a chat with ESPNCricinfo.

He was further asked if he would try the reverse scoop shot over the third man like Rishabh Pant did to James Anderson in the Tests against England and to Jofra Archer in the T20I series. Pujara praised Rishabh Pant’s fearlessness but said that he cannot play such a shot.

“Never! I can’t do that. I can’t do that (smiles). Going over third man (by reverse-scooping) as a right-hander is tough. Going over fine leg, that I have tried. Well, (he has) a unique way of looking at things. He is successful because he is fearless,” added Pujara.

Rishabh Pant Should Continue Backing His Strengths: Cheteshwar Pujara

The Saurashtra cricketer concluded by stating that if Pant can pull off audacious shots, there is nothing wrong with him playing that way. He said that the Delhi Capitals captain should continue to back himself and play how he felt was correct.

“And he has to bat the way he knows – by assessing the situation, and if he thinks he can do that, then why not. He can only be successful backing his own strengths. He is very instinctive. And he has to stick to that. Everyone including us in the dressing room was stunned, but that is something unique about him. If he can pull that off, again and again, there is nothing wrong,” concluded the 33-year-old.

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