The India batsman has three hundreds in four Tests this summer – Australia are beginning to appreciate his rare talents
Respect is often described as grudging, and it doesn’t get more grudging than from Australians for Cheteshwar Pujara. Yet as this Australia v India series plays out its final stanza, the admiration from the home players and supporters is real. Here’s a player who does what their own cannot: bats as long as he wants, puts distractions aside, and refuses to go away.
Australians tend to celebrate impulsiveness. We like to think we have a national style summed up by Adam Gilchrist pulverising hundreds, or Shane Warne twirling out bunnies. But with no talents like theirs in the national team, people suddenly don’t mind a more earnest approach.
Written by Geoff Lemon
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/jan/03/chesteshwar-pujara-india-australia-respect-cricket under the title “Cheteshwar Pujara stands tall to earn Australia’s grudging respect | Geoff Lemon”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
