Pujara’s emerging cricketer status will be on test in South Africa

Tags: India tour of South Africa 2013-14, India, South Africa, Cheteshwar Arvind Pujara

Published on: Dec 16, 2013

There couldn’t have been a more deserving choice for the Emerging Player of the year award than India’s Cheteshwar Pujara.

There couldn’t have been a more deserving choice for the Emerging Player of the year award than India’s Cheteshwar Pujara. Even though he made his Test debut back in 2010, it was only in 2012 that he actually got a chance to demonstrate his amazing skills following the retirement of Rahul Dravid. And, it must be said that in spite of his lack of international experience, Pujara has shown some wonderful ability and a mature head to secure a place in the Indian team at the number three spot in such a short period of time.

During the 12-month period taken into consideration for choosing the winner, Pujara notched up 1073 runs in 10 Tests with four hundreds at an incredible average of 82.5 and a highest of 206 not out. Just like Michael Clarke, Pujara has also scored a century against each of the opponents he has faced during this period. Against Australia, he notched up 419 runs with one hundred averaging 83.8, and a highest of 204. Versus England, he amassed 438 runs with two tons averaging 87 with a highest of 206 not out. Then, against West Indies, he averaged 72 with one hundred, scoring 216 runs with a highest of 159.

So prolific has been Pujara ever since his second stint in international cricket that India have hardly got time to miss Rahul Dravid. Pujara’s scores also replicate those made by Dravid during his peak – 206 not out, 204, 159 etc. Even the Saurashtra batsman’s style of play is very similar to that of the former India number three. Just like Dravid, Pujara also loves to stay put at the crease for as long as possible. If anything, he is a little more aggressive as compared to his predecessor.

As with his performance over the 10 Tests, Pujara’s overall record is also highly impressive. So far he has featured in 15 Tests and has totalled 1310 runs at an average of 65.50 with five hundreds. So superlative have been his efforts that some pundits have already declared that India have found a long-term replacement for Dravid. And, while that is a big credit to the manner in which Pujara has established himself in the Test side, it is too early to term him as a complete player year. His biggest will surely be in South Africa.

Pujara made his debut back in 2010 against Australia with a match- winning half-century at Bangalore, but since has featured in only two Tests away from home. Incidentally, both of those were in South Africa during the 2010 tour, and Pujara had a struggle there against the pace of Dale Steyn and co. Of course, Pujara was extremely raw back then, and this tour will give us a better idea of the kind of stuff he is made of. To be noted as a quality player, Pujara will have to succeed in South Africa and Australia. He has the talent. The question is whether Pujara can translate it into performances.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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