Ravichandran Ashwin drops TRUTH BOMB; claims Virat Kohli owes his success to..

Ravichandran Ashwin drops TRUTH BOMB; claims Virat Kohli owes his success to..

Cheteshwar Pujara’s Contribution to Indian Cricket Praised by Ravichandran Ashwin

Former Team India off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, recently shared his admiration for his former teammate, Cheteshwar Pujara, following Pujara’s retirement from international cricket. In a video on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ashwin highlighted Pujara’s crucial role in the success of the Indian Test team, particularly in supporting Virat Kohli to excel in the longest format of the game.

Pujara’s Vital Role in Setting the Stage for Kohli’s Success

Ashwin emphasized that Pujara’s presence at the crucial No. 3 position was instrumental in absorbing pressure and laying the foundation for Kohli to score runs consistently. Despite not always receiving the same level of recognition as some of his more high-profile teammates, Pujara’s contribution was invaluable to the team’s performance.

“What did Cheteshwar Pujara stand for in Indian cricket? I said his contributions are no less than Virat Kohli’s. Obviously, a lot of people talk about their contributions. The attention is not there,” Ashwin stated. “Not every cricketer gets the attention, but that does not mean their contribution is any less. Pujara’s contribution at No.3, believe it or not, was instrumental in helping Virat Kohli also make a lot of his runs.”

Unsung Hero: Pujara’s Underrated Grit and Determination

Ashwin also highlighted a particular instance during a challenging Test match in South Africa where Pujara faced 53 balls before scoring his first run on a dangerous Wanderers pitch. Despite the difficult conditions, Pujara’s resilience and unwavering focus played a crucial role in the team’s performance, even if it often went unnoticed by casual observers.

“Just see that scorecard, Pujara’s batting helped us out. It was a low-scoring game. He always did the thankless job; the ball was seaming a lot in that Test. Pujara’s contribution is unbelievable. People don’t talk about him much, but he is a bona fide legend. There are not many players like him,” Ashwin praised.

Pujara’s Gritty Knock in Johannesburg Test of 2018

One of the standout moments of Pujara’s career that Ashwin highlighted was his gritty performance in the 2018 Johannesburg Test against South Africa on a pitch deemed “poor” by the ICC. Facing a challenging surface with uneven bounce and seam movement, Pujara’s determined innings of 50 off 179 deliveries helped India post a competitive total of 187 in the first innings.

Despite facing criticism for his slow start, Pujara’s contribution was crucial in India’s eventual victory in the match, as fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul secured a 63-run win for the team.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement may mark the end of an era for Indian cricket, but his legacy as a tenacious and dependable batsman will continue to inspire future generations of players. His partnership with Virat Kohli and his selfless contributions to the team’s success will be remembered for years to come.

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