Cheteshwar Pujara scored his seventh Test century on Day Two of the third Test between India and Sri Lanka at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Stadium, Colombo. It was Pujara’s first match since being dropped from the team for the fourth Test against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) earlier in 2015. Since then, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul (albeit inconsistently), Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane have all scored runs. Rohit Sharma was tried out at No. 3 but he failed to make an impression, but Rahane scored an excellent century at that position in the second innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka. Pujara’s century has, therefore, offered Indian cricket a new selection headache. Shiamak Unwalla has more. Live cricket scorecard: India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd Test at Colombo (SSC)
India seem to have a problem of plenty these days. Shikhar Dhawan has scored two centuries in his last two Tests, Murali Vijay has been outstanding for the last couple of years, KL Rahul has scored two centuries in his short career so far (but has got out for single figures a bit too often as well), Virat Kohli has been prolific as Test captain, and Ajinkya Rahane remains one of India’s best Test batsmen in recent times. The only man in the line-up who is yet to perform on a regular basis is Rohit Sharma. READ: Cheteshwar Pujara guides India to India 292/8 against Sri Lanka at stumps on Day 2 of 3rd Test at Colombo (SSC)
Since Rohit’s debut in November 2013, he has played 14 Tests, and scored 820 runs at 37.27 with two hundreds and three fifties. In that same period, Pujara has played 15 Tests and scored 1,028 runs at 39.53 with three hundreds and three fifties. There is not a huge difference in terms of average, so it is understandable that Rohit got the nod ahead of Pujara for the last few Tests. READ: Murali Vijay’s injury opens the door for Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of India vs Sri Lanka 2015, 3rd Test
However, Rohit is yet to capitalise on his chances. He scored 53 and 39 in the fourth Test against Australia at SCG, 6 against Bangladesh at Fatullah, 9 and 4 against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle, and 79 and 34 in the second Test at P Sara Oval, Colombo. He was tried out at No. 3 but failed to make the most of his opportunities. Even when he scored 79 in the first innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka, he was out at the stroke of stumps on Day One, once again showing that he lacked the ability to go on after getting set. READ: Virat Kohli’s first win as Test captain vindicates ‘aggressive’ approach
Pujara, in contrast, was unshakable in his comeback Test. He showed once again that he possesses the patience and tenacity to grind out session after session; something most Indian batsmen barring Vijay seem to lack. Pujara’s century offers India an interesting selection dilemma. With everyone else getting runs, the most obvious decision would be to have Dhawan and Vijay open batting with Pujara at No. 3, followed by Kohli, Rahane and the all-rounder/wicketkeeper. Unless Kohli wants to play with six batsmen and drop the all-rounder, Rohit might not find a spot in the line-up. READ: KL Rahul could do a Rahul Dravid and help balance the side by keeping wickets for India
Pujara’s century could well have revived his career while also putting Rohit’s in peril. The resolve that Pujara showed simply cannot be ignored. A brief loss of form is inevitable for most batsmen, but Pujara has come back brilliantly. On the other hand, Rohit always looks in pristine touch till he gets out, which is often due to his own mistake. India have a clear case of talent against temperament. With a team brimming with talent anyway, it is probably time to give temperament a chance. READ: Cheteshwar Pujara faces big challenge ahead of India vs Sri Lanka 3rd Test at Colombo
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek who loves cricket more than cricketers. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)
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