Former India wicket-keeper batsman Deep Dasgupta has praised Cheteshwar Pujara’s positive batting approach on day three of the Leeds test match against England.
Cheteshwar Pujara got out cheaply for one run in the first innings. He was under pressure owing to his inconsistent run this year. However, the right-handed batsman silenced his critics with his knock so far in the second innings. Pujara walked in to bat at 34/1, and batted with positive intent, putting away the bad deliveries. He is unbeaten on 91 runs off 180 deliveries, including 15 boundaries.
Speaking on BBC’s Test Match Special, Deep Dasgupta lauded Cheteshwar Pujara’s knock. He said,
“This could be Cheteshwar Pujara 2.0. It’s the same player, not much difference in the technique that we have seen over the series or maybe just a couple of days ago. It’s just the simple flick of the switch or change in the mindset, and he looks a different player altogether.”
Team India Fully Backing Cheteshwar Pujara At The Moment #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/DgXOosjhhi
— CricFit (@CricFit) August 27, 2021
Really pleasing to see the way Cheteshwar Pujara got those runs: Deep Dasgupta
Deep Dasgupta also said that he was impressed watching Cheteshwar Pujara’s knock. He added that Pujara made the right mindset changes to bat positively at the crease. Deep Dasgupta said,
“What has been really, really pleasing to see is the way how Pujara got those runs. I haven’t seen Pujara playing a pull shot or a cut or a back-foot punch in a while. It’s easier said than done, to change that mindset, be more positive, it’s very easy to sit here and talk about it, but he actually did that out there.”
After rather two difficult days, a very good day for India at Leeds today.
A valiant display of mental strength and grit from @cheteshwar1 Pujara , a solid start from @ImRo45 and @imVkohli looking very very good as well. Looking forward to an exciting day tomorrow.#IndvsEng pic.twitter.com/PnMex5VcpR
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 27, 2021
The former India cricketer opined that this knock could be a watershed moment in Pujara’s career. If Pujara continues playing like this, he might not have to look back.
“This could be a watershed moment in Pujara’s career as well. If he can take what he has found here in terms of the tempo, the momentum, for all you know, for the next 2-3 years or 4 years, he might not have a look back from hereon and start playing like the way he has played in this innings,” Deep Dasgupta signed off.