Cheteshwar Pujara snubs himself as he names top 5 No. 3 batters in Test cricket

Cheteshwar Pujara snubs himself as he names top 5 No. 3 batters in Test cricket

Cheteshwar Pujara Names His Top Test No. 3 Batters of the 21st Century

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has offered his perspective on one of Test cricket’s most demanding roles: batting at No. 3. In a short video for ESPNcricinfo, Pujara was asked to rank himself among the leading No. 3 batters of the 21st century, with the choices divided into four tiers: the top 20, top 10, top five and top three.

The conversation lasted less than a minute, but Pujara’s answers reflected both confidence in his own career and respect for the players who helped define the position. He included himself among the century’s top 20 and suggested he could also make the top 10. However, he stopped short of placing himself in the top five or top three.

Pujara’s Self-Assessment: Top 20 and Top 10

When asked whether he belonged among the 20 best Test No. 3 batters of the century, Pujara agreed. He was more measured when the question moved to the top 10, responding that he would “maybe” include himself.

That cautious answer fits the reputation he built during his international career. Pujara was known for patience, concentration and a willingness to occupy the crease for long periods. Rather than making bold claims, he let his record and performances speak for themselves—a quality that made him a natural fit for the challenging No. 3 position.

Batting first drop in Test cricket often means arriving at the crease early, sometimes after a quick wicket, and helping steady an innings. The role demands sound technique, sharp judgment and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Pujara’s career was built around those qualities, especially in difficult overseas matches where India needed resilience as much as runs.

Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting and Other Greats

Pujara said he would not place himself in the top five. His choices for that group were Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla and Kumar Sangakkara—five batters whose careers combined consistency, longevity and major contributions to their teams.

He then narrowed the list to three: Dravid, Kallis and Amla. The selection brings together players with different styles but a shared record of success in the format. Dravid became one of India’s most dependable Test batters, Ponting was a central figure in Australia’s dominant era, and Kallis offered exceptional value with both bat and ball. Sangakkara and Amla, meanwhile, were celebrated for their run-making and technical command.

Pujara’s inclusion of Dravid is particularly notable. Dravid also made his name at No. 3 and became a model for the kind of discipline the position requires. For an Indian batter whose own game was often compared with the country’s tradition of technically sound Test specialists, placing Dravid among the very best was an acknowledgement of the standard he set.

A Test Career Defined by Patience and Tough Conditions

Pujara made his Test debut for India in 2010 and went on to play 103 matches, scoring 7,195 runs in 176 innings at an average of 43.60. His record includes 19 half-centuries and 35 centuries. Although he played only five one-day internationals, it was in Test cricket that he established his reputation as one of India’s leading batters of his generation.

Those numbers tell only part of the story. Pujara’s value was often measured not just by the runs he scored, but by the time he spent at the crease and the pressure he absorbed. His ability to defend for long spells could wear down opposition bowlers, protect teammates at the other end and give India a platform to build from.

That approach was especially important in challenging conditions. Against fast bowling on lively pitches, Pujara was prepared to take blows, leave deliveries outside off stump and wait for scoring opportunities. His method was not always designed for quick entertainment, but it served a clear purpose in the longest format: survive, settle in and make the opposition work for every wicket.

Australia Series Showed His Value

Pujara’s most celebrated performances came during India’s tours of Australia. In the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he played a decisive role in India’s historic series victory, scoring three centuries across four Tests. He also faced 1,258 deliveries during the series, a remarkable illustration of his ability to bat for long periods against a high-quality attack.

His contribution was not limited to the scorecard. By occupying the crease and tiring out Australia’s bowlers, Pujara helped create opportunities for India’s other batters. His innings gave the team time to build substantial totals and put pressure back on the hosts—an important part of the strategy in a demanding away series.

He again showed his toughness during the 2020–21 tour of Australia, facing 928 balls across four Tests. The series became famous for India’s resilience and its remarkable win at the Gabba, and Pujara’s willingness to absorb sustained pressure was a defining feature of the campaign. His innings were often hard-earned, with every run carrying significance in a contest shaped by injuries, close finishes and shifting momentum.

Why the No. 3 Ranking Debate Matters

There is no single formula for ranking the greatest Test No. 3 batters. Statistics offer one measure, but comparisons across eras must also account for pitches, opposition strength, team roles and the conditions in which players made their runs. Some No. 3s were attacking match-winners, while others focused on stability and long innings.

Pujara’s ranking therefore offers an interesting glimpse into how one of the role’s modern specialists views the game’s leading figures. His decision to place himself in the top 20—and perhaps the top 10—recognises the scale of his achievements, while his refusal to claim a top-five spot highlights the depth of competition at the position.

For fans considering a prediction about who belongs at the top of any all-time or 21st-century Test batting list, Pujara’s choices provide a useful starting point. Dravid, Kallis and Amla earned his highest praise, while Ponting and Sangakkara completed his top five. His own career, meanwhile, remains a powerful example of how patience, technical discipline and resilience can shape a team’s success in Test cricket.

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