Veteran commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has shared how Team India’s veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara looked to adopt a proactive approach in the fourth innings of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC 2023) final against Australia at The Oval on Saturday as well. He also stated that Pujara played a backfoot drive through the cover region and Manjrekar added that he usually plays the particular stroke only when he is well set at the crease as well.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo after stumps on Day 4, Manjrekar shared: “When you saw him (Cheteshwar Pujara) start off his innings, there was a back foot punch that he played very early in the innings. When you see Pujara play one of his favourite shots, which is rocking back and hitting that ball to extra cover, he is generally batting on 55 or 60. That is the first time he plays that shot. So, of late, maybe he has realized that, at this stage of his career, he can’t be the blocker who keeps blocking.”
During the discussion, former Australian player Brad Haddin also said the same as Sanjay Manjrekar. He said that Cheteshwar Pujara has looked to play with an improved strike rate as well. Notably, Pujara hit 27 runs before getting out in the 21st over of India’s second innings. He perished while attempting to play the ramp shot off Pat Cummins’ bowling. The right-handed batter couldn’t get the desired connection, only managing a faint edge that went straight to the keeper.
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He stated: “The one thing I’ve noticed is that he is looking to score a lot faster than he has previously. But he has had a lot of success against Australia, he has just been like a rock. He has just batted at one end, he has put a very, very high price on his wicket, and then Australia have had to try and work at the other end. To me, he is just trying to overplay his hand, rather than just make his wicket a really high price which he has done in the past.”
However, Sanjay Manjrekar also shared that Cheteshwar Pujara is keen to score quick runs as he wants to contribute well with the bat in the run chase as well. He also added that he won’t be critical of his approach, as he is trying to reinvent himself, which is also a positive thing. But, the veteran batter has failed to leave a mark in the ongoing WTC final, scoring only 14 and 27.
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“I will never be critical of something that is unexpected. Cheteshwar Pujara is somebody who, over a number of years, has gone out there, grinding away from India, taking body blows, and playing in one fashion. Now if at all this is a plan to be a little more proactive, that also comes from a very good place, where he wants to contribute and get the best out of himself at this stage of his career. Pujara, two low scores, unexpected. A man in form, a very dependable player, but I am not going to be too critical, because this is Pujara finding a way to survive and get runs,” Sanjay Manjrekar concluded.
