Indian Test cricket has witnessed several batting stalwarts who have defined resilience and grit. Among them, Cheteshwar Pujara stands out as the embodiment of patience, determination, and unflinching commitment to the longer format of the game. Often referred to as the modern-day “Wall” of Indian cricket, Pujara has carved out a career that is unique in style and substance.
In an era dominated by T20 power-hitters and fast-paced cricket, Pujara stayed true to his traditional Test batting values. His ability to absorb pressure, bat for hours, and frustrate bowlers set him apart from his contemporaries. Over the years, he has not only produced match-winning performances but also etched records that may never be broken in Test cricket’s fast-evolving landscape.
Here are three Cheteshwar Pujara records that might remain untouched for generations to come:
1. Most Balls Faced by an Indian in a Test Innings (525 deliveries vs Australia, Ranchi 2017)
During the third Test against Australia in Ranchi in March 2017, Pujara played one of the longest innings ever by an Indian batsman. He batted for more than 11 hours, facing a staggering 525 deliveries and scoring 202 runs.
In the age of fast-scoring batsmen and deteriorating patience levels, such innings are nearly impossible to replicate. Very few modern cricketers are willing to occupy the crease for such a long time, especially when strike rates dominate selection discussions. Pujara’s knock was not just about runs; it was about grinding down a world-class Australian bowling attack that included Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon.
With the rise of T20 cricket and players adapting aggressive techniques even in Test matches, facing over 500 balls in a single innings looks like a record that might never be matched by another Indian.
2. Highest Career Balls Faced by an Indian Batsman in Test Cricket (Over 15,000 deliveries)
Patience is Pujara’s trademark, and this record proves it beyond doubt. Across his career, Pujara has faced more than 15,000 balls in Test cricket, the highest for any Indian batsman in the modern era.
This statistic reflects not just longevity but also his incredible temperament. He was often India’s shield against hostile fast bowling attacks abroad, especially in Australia, England, and South Africa. While other batters sought to dominate, Pujara was content to absorb pressure, tire out bowlers, and build partnerships brick by brick.
Given the current cricketing environment where even Test batters aim for brisk scoring rates, the possibility of another Indian facing such a mammoth number of deliveries in their career seems unlikely. Pujara’s ability to simply “bat time” might remain unmatched.
3. Most Deliveries Faced in a Test Series by an Indian (928 balls vs Australia, 2018–19)
Perhaps Pujara’s greatest contribution to Indian cricket came in the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he played a monumental role in helping India script their first-ever Test series win Down Under.
In that series, Pujara scored 521 runs across four Tests, but what stood out even more was the number of balls he faced — a jaw-dropping 928 deliveries. His marathon stays at the crease not only blunted Australia’s bowling attack but also allowed India’s middle-order and lower-order batters to thrive under reduced pressure.
No other Indian batsman has faced so many deliveries in a single Test series, and in today’s context, it’s hard to imagine anyone replicating it. The demands of modern cricket — with its relentless scheduling across formats — make it nearly impossible for a player to devote themselves solely to the grind of Test batting like Pujara did.
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