One of Chennai Super Kings’ latest recruit Cheteshwar Pujara, albeit a seasoned Test batsman, seems to adapt well to the shortest format of the game. Cheteshwar Pujara will be part of his first IPL edition since 2014 as Chennai Super Kings bought him for INR 50 lakhs. The right-handed batsman played highly contrasting gameplay than his natural one while practising in the nets ahead of the 14th edition.
In a video posted by a Twitter user, Cheteshwar Pujara is taking his fellow teammates to the cleaners by dishing out some lusty blows off his bat. He began by hammering seamer Deepak Chahar over deep mid-wicket for a maximum, followed by a slog sweep off leggie Karn Sharma through the onside. Against yet another pacer, the Saurashtra batsman danced down the track to lift the ball over long-on boundary and flicking one off his pads.
The final ball of the over saw the right-handed batsman take the aerial route through the extra-cover region. Cheteshwar Puajra last featured in IPL back in 2014 for the Kings XI Punjab and due to his inability to shift gears like most batsmen, the franchises do not opt for him. In 22 innings, the 33-year old has 390 runs at 20.53, along with a fifty. While Chennai Super Kings have purchased Pujara, it remains to be seen if he gets the nod in the playing XI.
Captain MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina are sure to play, while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Narayanan Jagadeesan set to feature in most matches after impressing in the domestic circuit. Amongst the domestic players, the batting line-up will also have Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu – both of whom are skillful players. Hence, it’s challenging to accommodate Pujara for the majority of the games.
Meanwhile, below is the clip of Cheteshwar Pujara showcasing some of his brute-hitting skills:
Puji was on fire ?@cheteshwar1 #csk pic.twitter.com/CNbPXi786q
— Ravi Desai ?? Champion CSK? (@its_DRP) March 30, 2021