The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli’s in-your-face attitude was one of the major talking points during India’s tour of Australia and as the visitors dominated the Aussies in the own backyard. However, most of the former cricketers were on Kohli’s case for his on-field aggressiveness, even going to the extent of stating that the Indian skipper was disrespectful towards the game.
However, Indian middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara backed his skipper saying that Kohli was never disrespectful towards anyone and that’s his nature and that is how he should be.
Recently, while talking to Times of India, Pujara said, “He can behave the way he wants to as long as he respects the game. He hasn’t been disrespectful to anyone else. Sledging is something which he likes at times. And there is nothing wrong in that. Ultimately, he (Kohli) also understands what is required to win. Many times I’ve given him suggestions and he has been more than willing to accept them. He might have a different personality but that’s his nature.”
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Pujara though did concede that the Australian media also play their part in playing mind games against opposition teams alongside the players.
Talking about the same, Pujara said, “Even their media is always supporting their team. If you make any error, they always let the opponents know. So, as an Indian player, if there’s something wrong, or even if there is a minor discussion in the team, and if their media-person gets to know, then they’ll always go behind that player. It’s part of their strategy, which we understand. There’s a little bit of sledging which is going on. But luckily, I’m someone who doesn’t get affected. In fact, I get motivated when they try and sledge me.”
Cheteshwar managed to handle potent Australian bowling attack consisting Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon with decent ease, which also led to Lyon asking Pujara if he isn’t bored off batting this long, in the fourth Test.
Describing the same, Pujara said, “I think in the third or fourth Test, they were trying to sledge me but at the same time they started laughing in the end. Lyon came and told me: ‘Aren’t you bored of batting now?. Yes [on Lyon remark the best sledge] I never thought that he’ll say such a thing.”
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The Saurashtra batsman believes that he bats according to the situation and even an attacking and dominating player like Sachin Tendulkar also batted in that manner when the situation was such, and there is nothing wrong in that.
Pujara explained, “If you see Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, they have been very classical. Obviously, Tendulkar was a different player, he liked to dominate, but there have been other players who have played Test cricket the way it has been played. Even Tendulkar, when the situation demanded, has scored just 50 runs in 150 balls, so there is nothing wrong in that. You just need to understand what situation you are playing in and bat accordingly.”
Cheteshwar Pujara was the reason behind India’s first-ever series win in Australia scoring 521 runs at an average of 74.42. His strike-rate was just 41.41 but he consumed a whopping 1258 balls in the series. the next best was 684 balls faced by Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
