Cheteshwar Pujara is a highly talented Indian batsman known for his solid technique, patience, and resilience in Test cricket. Throughout his career, he has played some outstanding innings that have helped India achieve crucial victories and draw games from seemingly impossible situations. Here are seven of his best innings in Test cricket.
1. 123 vs Australia, Adelaide, 2018-19
Pujara’s gritty century in the first Test of India’s tour of Australia in 2018-19 is considered as one of the finest overseas knocks by an Indian batsman. His knock of 123 off 246 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes, helped India secure a historic victory in Adelaide.
It was India’s first Test win in Australia in a decade. Cheteshwar Pujara would score two more hundreds in the series, but it was the Adelaide ton that set the ball rolling for the visitors.
2. 153 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, December 2013
One of the biggest obstacles for Indian batsmen is performing well in South Africa, and the number three batsman for India faces a similar task.
When Cheteshwar Pujara first visited the nation in 2010–2011, he had a terrible time. But he was determined to have a bigger impression on his 2013 tour, and he was successful.
In the team’s second innings in the Johannesburg Test, the stubborn number three amassed a pretty remarkable 153 off 270 balls. Cheteshwar Pujara defeated a bowling assault that included Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Jacques Kallis, and Imran Tahir with a superb innings that included up to 21 fours.
Until being caught behind by Jacques Kallis, Cheteshwar Pujara appeared to be having little issue against some of the best bowlers in the world.
While South Africa’s second innings saw tonnes from Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers as the hosts closed on 450 for 7 in pursuit of 458 runs, Virat Kohli struck 119 and 96 runs in the drawn Test.
The performance by Cheteshwar Pujara in South Africa will go down as one of the best ever by an Indian batsman.
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3. 193 vs Australia, Sydney, 2019
In the fourth Test of India’s tour of Australia in 2018-19, Cheteshwar Pujara played a marathon innings of 193 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Pujara batted for over 11 hours, facing 525 deliveries, including 22 boundaries, to help India secure a draw in the match and win the series 2-1.
Pujara’s innings was a masterclass in Test match batting as he displayed immense patience, grit and resilience to keep the Australian bowlers at bay. He was awarded the player of the match for his outstanding performance, which helped India register their first-ever Test series win in Australia. The knock also cemented Pujara’s position as one of the best Test batsmen of his generation.
4.204 vs Australia in Hyderabad, March 2013
In the Hyderabad Test in March 2013, Cheteshwar Pujara was the standout player as India thrashed Australia by an innings and 135 runs. Despite captain Michael Clarke’s 91, Australia’s first innings score was only 237 for 9.
After reaching 503 runs, India batted Australia out of the game, with Cheteshwar Pujara making 204 off 341 balls. With 30 fours and a six, the number three batsman was in complete control of his innings, and the Australian bowlers were helpless to stop him.
With opener Murali Vijay (167), Cheteshwar Pujara contributed to a huge 370-run partnership for the second wicket as James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Moises Henriques, and Xavier Doherty struggled to have much of an effect on the Indian pair.
Pujara soon gave up attempting to get Pattinson’s attention and left to a standing ovation.
Then, in their second innings, India easily defeated Australia for 131, with Ravichandran Ashwin taking 5 for 63.
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5. 145* against Sri Lanka, Colombo, August 2015
In a sense, Cheteshwar Pujara’s hundred in Colombo in August 2015 marked his one of the finest innings.
India won the three-match series 2-1 thanks to the player’s excellent, unbeaten hundred, which was the response.
Cheteshwar Pujara managed to keep the batting together despite wickets falling all around him on a track that favoured pace bowlers after Sri Lanka had requested that India bat first.He faced 289 deliveries and struck 14 fours and 2 sixes, helping India take a massive lead in the match.
6. 143, IND vs SL 2nd Test, Nagpur, 2017
Cheteshwar Pujara played a brilliant innings in the second Test between India and Sri Lanka at Nagpur in 2017. He batted with great patience and discipline to score an unbeaten 143 off 362 balls, and played a key role in helping India secure a commanding position in the match.
Pujara started slowly, as he often does, and was content to play out the Sri Lankan bowlers with a solid defensive technique. He faced a barrage of short-pitched deliveries from the fast bowlers, but remained resolute and kept the ball on the ground, refusing to take any unnecessary risks.
As the day wore on, Pujara gradually began to open up his scoring, and he played some delightful shots through the off-side against the spinners. He showed great skill in rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking over, even as he continued to build his own innings.
Pujara’s innings was marked by its sheer determination and concentration. He remained at the crease for over nine hours, facing 525 deliveries in total, and showed great mental strength to keep going despite the heat and the pressure of the situation.
7. 159 vs New Zealand 1st Test, Hyderabad, 2012
This is Pujara’s first Test century, and as it contributed to India winning this test match, it merits a spot on this list. He had been playing test cricket for two years when, with India batting first, he finally entered the game at number three and just began batting beautifully. He used 309 balls to score 159 runs, hitting 19 fours and 1 six in this enormous innings, and his strike rate was 51.96. This performance cemented Pujara’s status as a legitimate test batter, and he never looked back.
In conclusion, Cheteshwar Pujara’s classical batting style and patience have made him an indispensable part of India’s Test team. His ability to score runs in challenging conditions and pressure situations has earned him the nickname of “The Wall 2.0.” Pujara’s performances in these seven innings are a testament to his skill and temperament, making him one of India’s best Test batsmen of all time.
