Aakash Chopra explains how Cheteshwar Pujara is failing to score runs in test cricket of late.
With Indian skipper, Virat Kohli pointing out at an overhaul in the Test team after the failure in the all-important ICC World Test Championship, senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara along with Ajinkya Rahane have come under the scrutiny of the experts and fans evaluating whether the duo will be able to retain their slots in the test team or not.
Cheteshwar Pujara, the modern-day wall of Indian test cricket, managed to put up 8 and 15 in the two essays while the Indian test team deputy Ajinkya Rahane secured 49 and 15 in the final of the WTC against New Zealand.
Pujara returned with impressive figures in the Australia test series with two match-winning knocks while his England’s home test series and World Test Championship final stats are worrying.
Aakash Chopra, cricketer turned commentator, explained what is going against the Indian test mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara that is preventing the established cricketer to score hefty runs in the longest format and the only format he plays.
Writing in his column for ESPNcricinfo Aakash Chopra deciphered how the lack of enough foot movement from the cricketer is pulling his natural game away from him.
Further explaining the cause, Chopra stated that Pujara’s technique of gripping the bat towards the base of the handle restricts him from a good bat swing and scoring opportunities.
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Aakash Chopra explains how Cheteshwar Pujara is failing to score runs in test cricket of late.
“He (Cheteshwar Pujara) seems to be moving his feet a lot less against pace than before, and that has resulted in fewer strokes. Pujara doesn’t have a high backlift, and he holds the bat near the bottom of the handle, which reduces the bat-swing significantly,” wrote Chopra.
“That means his stroke-making needs to start with getting the body into the right position to execute shots. The front foot hasn’t been going down the pitch, and the back foot hasn’t been going inside the box either.”
The former cricketer and commentator further stated that the Indian team should stick with the services of Cheteshwar Pujara, despite a few poor innings.
There has been a lot of speculation revolving around the replacement of Cheteshwar Pujara with KL Rahul or Hanuma Vihari in the test team following the failure in the WTC final.
India once again bowed down to New Zealand in the ICC knockout match (this time ICC WTC Final) by eight wickets and lost the inaugural Test Championship mace.
Moreover in the ongoing practice match against the County Select XI, Pujara managed to score a mere 21 off 47 balls with two fours. His poor score in the three days practice match creates a worrying mess for the veteran cricketer as his slot in the red-ball format is extremely vulnerable.
With KL Rahul, who is keeping the wickets, nearing his first-class half-century and proving his mettle, the case becomes even worse for Pujara.
Pujara was stumped off Jack Carson, trying to step out and defend the slightly flighted delivery.
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