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Cheteshwar Pujara Cops Brutal Blows on Day 5, Hits Fighting Half-Century And Wins Internet
Cheteshwar Pujara was attended to by the physio on multiple occasions but he batted on, hitting a memorable, fighting half-century at The Gabba.
19 January 2021 • 12:15 PM
Cheteshwar Pujara copped blows to his hand, arm, finger chest and helmet on the final day of the fourth Test as Australia looked for a win in Brisbane but his vigil kept the hosts at bay. Pujara was attended to by the physio on multiple occasions but he batted on, hitting a memorable, fighting half-century at The Gabba.
The Australian pacers, led by Pat Cummins, sent down a barrage of short deliveries aimed at Pujara as they looked to unsettle the India middle-order batsmen, searching for his prized scalp and open up the doors for win. Pujara though put up a brave front, even as he looked in visible pain after once being hit on the gloves from a brutal short delivery from Josh Hazlewood when batting on 26.
He took off his right glove, writhing in pain, as he laid down with the team physio rushing to his aid in the middle.
He got up and continued but the bouncer barrage continued and Indian kept on battling and then went on to score a half-century – his 28th in Test cricket and third of the series. He was dislodged only after having consumed 211 deliveries.
The innings drew wide praise on Twitter with fans gushing on his stonewalling with few even drawing reference to the legendary Rahul Dravid who was also known for his marathon efforts.
A fighting innings from Cheteshwar Pujara comes to an end.
Well played @cheteshwar1 #AUSvsIND
Snehasallapam (SS) (@SSTweeps) January 19, 2021
“Cheteshwar Pujara is the most patient cat I’ve ever seen. He doesn’t go for the food, he just waits for it.” – Steve Waugh
CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) January 19, 2021
What a series for Cheteshwar Pujara! Might not have scored huge runs like he did the last time he played in Australia but the Indian team would know the real value of his innings across the series. Hope the fans/critics understand too. Champion stuff. #AUSvsIND #GabbaTest
Anuj Trivedi 🇮🇳 (@anuj10trivedi) January 19, 2021
Cheteshwar Pujara watching people discussing his importance after his dismissal. #AUSvsIND #GabbaTest pic.twitter.com/h3nrosnQv4
gajender (@gajender00) January 19, 2021
Without Cheteshwar Pujara ,I don’t see a test team. #Backbone #INDvAUS .The guy is more important than Kohli when it comes to this format.#Legend
Rahul Ramrakhiani (@RahulR2104) January 19, 2021
Cheteshwar Pujara >>>>>>>>>> Ambuja cement ki deewar 😴
🇮🇳 (@RajatUttam5) January 19, 2021
Pujara after every over 😄 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/MIAFtY8NJJ
Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) January 19, 2021
However, spin bowling legend Shane Warne was not impressed with the tactics Australia employed against Pujara.
“I just cannot believe it, after everything with the last series and this series and how he (Nathan Lyon) has bowled to Pujara with a bat-pad on the off-side, he looks a completely different player,” Warne said on Fox Cricket,
“What sort of conversations have they had with no bat-pad to start with this morning? I’m in shock. I’ve been disappointed with some of the tactics from the Australians this series, but this doesn’t make any sense whatsoever as well. I just cannot explain why he hasn’t got one,” he added.