Last Update on: June 11th, 2023 at 07:54 pm
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out Cheteshwar Pujara’s approach in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final. He said that the veteran batter is looking to score runs faster as he used to do previously and is trying to overplay his hand.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who is considered as the modern wall for India, over the years has been the backbone of the team in the longest format of the game. The right-hander has put his body on the line many times for the team and has been the main architect behind India’s famous victories.
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Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been a great blocker of a ball in Tests, looked completely different in the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia. Instead of playing in his traditional way, he played his shots from the moment he stepped in but unfortunately, that didn’t pay off for him.
In the first innings, Cheteshwar Pujara was out for 14 runs while leaving the ball whereas, in the second innings, he was caught behind for 27 runs while trying to ramp the ball over the keeper, which usually isn’t seen from him.
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Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out the backfoot punch Cheteshwar Pujara played early in his innings and highlighted that he usually plays that shot once he has scored 50-60 runs. He added that the batter might have realised that he can’t block anymore. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, he said:
“When you saw him (Cheteshwar Pujara) start off his innings, there was a back foot punch that he played very early in the innings. When you see Pujara play one of his favourite shots, which is rocking back and hitting that ball to extra cover, he is generally batting on 55 or 60. That is the first time he plays that shot. So, of late, maybe he has realized that, at this stage of his career, he can’t be the blocker who keeps blocking.”
WTC Final: “I will never be critical of something that is unexpected,” says Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar further stated that he won’t be critical of Cheteshwar Pujara’s approach as he’s keen to score runs and is finding ways to survive. He explained:
“I will never be critical of something that is unexpected. Cheteshwar Pujara is somebody who, over a number of years, has gone out there, grinding away from India, taking body blows, and playing in one fashion.
“Now if at all this is a plan to be a little more proactive, that also comes from a very good place, where he wants to contribute and get the best out of himself at this stage of his career. Pujara, two low scores, unexpected. A man in form, a very dependable player, but I am not going to be too critical, because this is Pujara finding a way to survive and get runs.”
India were bundled out for just 234 runs while chasing 444 runs. They suffered a massive 209 runs loss in the ICC World Test Championship Final.
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