On Monday, Cheteshwar Pujara has been named as the Man of the series for his humungous contribution in India‘s landmark 2-1 Test series victory over Australia at their own backyard. However, the fifth day’s play at the SCG was washed out. During the course of his 373-ball 193 at the SCG, Pujara took his tally of balls faced in the series to 1258, meaning he claimed the record for visiting batsmen in a series of four Tests or less on Australian soil.

Pujara’s best knock in the series came in the final 4th Test at the SCG and it was his third century in the series and the 18th in his career. He has been one of the strongest pillars of the Indian batting line-up in the series and deservingly earned praises from some of the cricketing legends including former Aussie fast bowler Brett Lee who has lavished praise on Pujara.

When asked how would he have planned his spells against Pujara, if asked to bowl, Lee said he would have prayed as Pujara has looked in form of his life in the ongoing series.

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As per the quotes in The Telegraph, Lee said, “If I had to bowl to Pujara, I would have prayed! Seriously, he is so good and puts such a heavy price on his wicket. Pujara really is a freak of nature… Look at his statistics… Three centuries. Our best? Harris’s 79 in the first innings at the SCG.”

Lee also reckoned that Pujara has been made the difference for India in the series. Pujara has been rock solid with the bat in tough Australian conditions, facing as many as 1258 balls while spending 1868 minutes in the middle to amass 521 runs at an average of 74.43.

Team India has re-written the history by winning their maiden Test series in Australia as the visitors have already bagged two wins at Adelaide and Melbourne in the first and the third Test respectively. The fourth and final Test between the two countries has ended in a draw as rain continues to play spoilsport.

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After rain abandoned Day 5 of the Sydney Test, India was ten wickets away from a win while Australia was trailing by 316 runs after being made to follow-on by skipper Virat Kohli.