Cheteshwar Pujara's Bradman story

I was watching some of the news channels who were singing wholesome praises for Cheteshwar Puajra for scoring his maiden century in Test cricket.

But one particular news channel, known for sensationalization, jumped the gun yet again. They announced that India has found Dravid’s replacement.

First of all, India has found a number three batsman and not Dravid’s replacement. It is unfair to compare Pujara, who is just taking baby steps at the international level, with someone of Dravid’s stature.

His innings of 159 was well compiled. There was a certain assurance looking at the way he paced his innings. There was so much of retro-theme in the way he approached his innings. Wearing down the bowlers, attacking the loose balls, having a solid defense – all this seems to be a thing of past, thanks to the razzle-dazzle of the shorter formats. But Pujara looked in the control of the situation. Never once did he play any loose shot; neither did he lose concentration throughout the day.

Pujara has had Test match experience before. He had made his international debut in 2010. He scored 72 runs batting at number three when India was chasing 208 runs on the final day. It was a confident knock on debut. He toured South Africa and played a couple of test matches. It was not a tour which a young Pujara would like to remember. His technique was found wanting and batting at number six, he looked out of sorts playing the moving ball.

An untimely knee injury in IPL 2011 coupled with poor form saw him out of international action. Life seldom offers second chances but Pujara got it. In 2012, India A toured West Indies for a full series (3 Tests, 3 ODIs and 2 T20s). Pujara was the most successful Indian batsman in terms of number of runs he scored.

“We were playing in tough conditions on the A tour to the West Indies. The series helped me prepare well for bigger challenges,” said Pujara, recalling the Caribbean tour where he captained the side.

Former Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly was pleased to see Pujara score his maiden ton. Ganguly also mentioned that genuine quick bowling would test Pujara and he will have to be ready for such challenges when India travels abroad.

Pujara, as a matter of fact, has a lot of big hundreds to his name. He has a triple hundred to his name at U-14 level as well as two at the U-22 level. He also scored a triple ton at the Ranji Trophy Championships against Orissa.

Pujara, is fondly known as the Don Bradman of IOC (Indian Oil Corporation) amongst his teammates courtesy his penchant for big scores.

How this sobriquet of Don came about is not difficult to guess. Pujara scored 213 in the first game he played for IOC in the Times Shield semifinal against Air India in 2006. Rahane scored 270 in the same match. I recall, after the game, I told Pujara that he could have got the man of the match award, had he exceeded Rahane’s score.

He calmly replied: ‘Koi nahin, next game mein bana lenge.’(dont worry, can always do it in the next game).’

In the next match, which was the final against BPCL, he scored 299! And that’s how the name came about.

For now, let us just enjoy this youngsters batting without comparing him with the greats. There are a couple of more youngsters waiting for their chances. Lets hope Indian cricket is served well by these young shoulders. Pujara certainly looks ‘Lambi Race ka Ghoda‘. Let us hope things pan out well for this talented batsman.