curious case of cheteshwar pujara...

shared by straight point on Wednesday, January 05, 2011

since his debut che's (as we fondly call him at bored) case is getting bit curious with his each outing...

his debut innings dismissal was strikingly unlucky...

in his second innings he impressed everybody with his temperament and stroke play and played a decisive knock which helped india whitewash australia...

and yesterday he received the delivery which was almost unplayable...

in between some freak or unlucky dismissals he has impressed pundits and fans alike and shown enough glimpses that he belongs to the highest arena... test cricket... without a decent score to show for the efforts...

mind you, though pujara's average at domestic level is very good, but it is also a factor that he would not have played anything resembling the quality of bowling at display that too overseas at as difficult a place as south africa where even many best at business have come short...

he still has second innings at newlands, capetown to post a decent score to wave off some doubts that might be creeping in the mind of those that matter most... selectors... but given the quality of bowling he will have to counter on the fourth innings at a wearing pitch of a series decider match for who the no.1 team in the world is... one can easily understand the pressure...

at one time he has shown enough promise... but at the same time his honeymoon period might be running off faster than one would like to believe... and given that we won't play tests for quite some time and there is world cup in between where players like raina, kohli, rohit sharma etc can stake claims with their good performances at the world stage...

how many more chances pujara will get if he were to fail again in the fourth innings at capetown...?

6 comments:

Balajhi said...

This is where the delay should help Pujara. Selectors have seen the Sharmas, Rainas, Yuvrajs and even a bit of Badris. They know there is no proven performer waiting on the wings. That should give Pujara some breathing time. No one can say he doesn't deserve a run. His innings of 10 at Durban is more valuable than a 50 in a quick time. He consumed time and balls and did not expose Dhoni and the tail in the fading light. Though he perished on 4th day morning he had done his job. Test cricket is not just mere runs or for that matter rate of scoring but it is also about time. Pujara's innings helped India at Durban. Unless you are a quality batsman you would not survive against a quality of bowling for as many balls and time that Pujara batted. I am sure he belongs at this level. Selectors must also know about it.

Golandaaz said...

I think he has as much time as the other first class players give him...

If there is another one who is scoring tons of runs, that will put pressure on him

I think for the short term it would be okay if the slot is shared between Raina and Pujara.

Anonymous said...

There is no shame for Pujara in falling to low scores in this series...the dismissals which have got him out, have mostly been unplayable deliveries from the world's premier exponent of swing and pace. If anything, he is going to benefit enormously from this tour, which will stand him in good stead when he visits England and Australia, later this year..

knowledge_eater said...

Let's also not forget the way he got out in 2nd test. First inning, over ambitious hook shot, that means he was bullish and confidence. And in 2nd inning unlucky again to inside edging it.

I agree with Golandaaz, he will be given enough long run. Don't worry, they give long run to batsman. But, unfortunately not to bowlers. (excep. Ishant)

straight point said...

its not that i have any doubt on che's credentials, talent and temperament... but somehow i feel this selection panel will be etching to bring some 'star' players...

Sujan said...

Nice one SP

about me...

BCC!straight point (sp) is restless... relentless... but a fun loving guy... likes to live life to fullest... trying to discover himself through cricket... welcome to this little world of his...

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