Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara is an Indian cricketer who is known for his batting skills and solid technique. He is one of the most dependable batsmen in the Indian cricket team and has contributed significantly to many of the team's victories. Born on January 25, 1988, in Rajkot, Gujarat, Pujara had an early interest in cricket and began playing the sport from a young age.

Early Life:

Cheteshwar Pujara expands into a family of cricketers. His father, Arvind Pujara, was a former cricketer who played for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, and his uncle, Bipin Pujara, also played cricket at the domestic level. Pujara was introduced to cricket by his father and began playing the sport when he was just seven years old. He was a keen student of the game and spent countless hours practicing and honing his skills.

International Centuries:

Pujara made his international debut for India in 2010 in a Test match opposed to Australia in Bangalore. However, it was not until 2012 that he began to establish himself as a regular member of the Indian team. In his third Test match, against New Zealand in Hyderabad, Pujara scored his maiden Test century. Since then, he has gone on to score 18 more Test centuries, with the highest score of 206* against England in Ahmedabad in 2012.

Pujara's batting style is distinguished by his solid technique, patience, and facility to occupy the crease for long terms. He is known for his faculty to bat for long periods of time and tire out the hostility bowlers. Pujara's most memorable innings came in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he scored three centuries, including a match-winning 193 in the fourth Test in Sydney. His performances in that series earned him the Player of the Series award.

Domestic Career:

Pujara has had a highly successful domestic career, representing his home state of Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy. He made his first-class debut in 2005 and quickly established himself as a top-order batsman for the team. In the 2012-13 season, he played a key role in Saurashtra's run to the final of the Ranji Trophy, scoring three centuries in the tournament.

In the 2018-19 season, Pujara led Saurashtra to their first-ever Ranji Trophy title, scoring 521 runs in the tournament at an average of 74.42. He scored a match-winning century in the final against Vidarbha and was named the player of the match.

In addition to his success in the Ranji Trophy, Pujara has also played for various teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He made his IPL debut in 2010 for the Kolkata Knight Riders and has since played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab, and Chennai Super Kings. However, he has not had as much success in the IPL as he has had in the longer formats of the game.

Cheteshwar Pujara is an Indian cricketer who has made significant contributions to the Indian cricket team. He is known for his solid technique and ability to occupy the crease for long periods, which has earned him the nickname "The Wall". In this article, we will discuss his Test debut, breakthrough, and return to form.

Test debut:

Pujara made his Test debut for India in 2010 in a match against Australia in Bangalore. However, he did not have a memorable debut, as he scored only four runs in his two innings. He was dropped from the team after the match and had to wait for two years to get another opportunity.

Breakthrough:

Pujara's breakthrough in Test cricket came in 2012 when he was recalled to the Indian team for the home series against New Zealand. In the second Test of the series, Pujara scored his maiden Test century, scoring an unbeaten 159 runs in the second innings. This inning was instrumental in India's victory in the match and helped Pujara establish himself as a regular member of the Indian team.

Pujara's solid technique and ability to occupy the crease for long periods made him a vital cog in the Indian batting lineup. He was often called upon to play the role of a sheet anchor, anchoring the innings and building partnerships with other batsmen. Pujara's ability to bat for long periods and tire out the opposition bowlers was a significant asset to the Indian team.

Return to form:

After his breakthrough in Test cricket, Pujara went on to become one of India's most consistent batsmen. However, he went through a lean patch in 2018, where he struggled to score runs in Test cricket. He averaged only 22.20 in the first six Tests of the year and was dropped from the team for the final Test of the England tour.

However, Pujara did not let this setback affect him, and he worked hard on his game to return to form. He played domestic cricket to regain his confidence and form and made some technical adjustments to his batting. His hard work paid off, and he returned to the Indian team for the home series against Australia in 2018-19.

Pujara's return to form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a significant factor in India's historic series win in Australia. He scored three centuries in the series, including a match-winning 193 in the fourth Test in Sydney. His ability to bat for long periods and tire out the opposition bowlers was on full display in the series, as he faced over 1200 deliveries in the four Tests.

Cheteshwar Pujara is undoubtedly one of the most reliable and consistent batsmen in Test cricket. His solid technique and patience have earned him the nickname "The Wall", and he has proven time and again that he can occupy the crease for long periods and tire out the opposition bowlers.

Pujara's Test debut was not a memorable one, but he bounced back and established himself as a regular member of the Indian team with his breakthrough century against New Zealand in 2012. Since then, he has been a vital cog in the Indian batting lineup, often playing the role of a sheet anchor and building partnerships with other batsmen.

Pujara's return to form after a lean patch in 2018 was a testament to his hard work and determination. He made technical adjustments to his batting and played domestic cricket to regain his confidence and form. His return to the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a significant factor in India's historic series win in Australia, where he scored three centuries, including a match-winning 193 in the fourth Test in Sydney.

As Pujara continues to represent India in Test cricket, his contributions to the team's success will undoubtedly be crucial. His ability to bat for long periods and tire out the opposition bowlers is a significant asset to the Indian team, and he will play a crucial role in India's quest to win Test matches and series in the future.

Overall, Cheteshwar Pujara is a highly respected cricketer, known for his hard work, determination, and unwavering focus on Test cricket. He is a role model for young cricketers and an inspiration to aspiring batsmen around the world.