Latest news with #Pujara
Mint
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Sai Sudharsan, and finding a way at No.3
Before Sai Sudharsan made 61 in India's fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, the last time an India batter at No.3 had crossed fifty in a Test match outside Asia was back in January 2022. Well over three years ago, Cheteshwar Pujara made 53 against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. Even relaxing the rule to just away from home, and not outside Asia, the last time an India No.3 made a half-century was in December 2022, again by Pujara, against Bangladesh in Chattogram. Six months after that, India played in the WTC final 2023, and Pujara hasn't played for India since then. From the giant shoes of Rahul Dravid, to the industrious and productive Pujara, India had a great deal of solidity - and most importantly runs - at No.3. Ever since Pujara's downturn in form and subsequent omission from the squads, it's been a barren period. That is why Sudharsan's runs at No.3 seemed important beyond the match situation and series scoreline. He came in after a solid opening stand, at 94 for 1, but that quickly became 140 for 3 in the second session, as England's bowlers found greater discipline. Sudharsan standing firm at his end meant India could weather that storm. On debut in the first Test of the series, Sudharsan was out caught down the legside in both innings. England had clearly spotted that his head could fall over to the offside, and the resulting lack of balance could be exploited by balls bowled past leg-stump. It's not a line of attack he's going to face in white-ball cricket where the rules for wides are a lot more strict, but he faced a healthy amount of it against England. And he had a slice of luck too, when one such ball from Ben Stokes was edged behind, only for Jamie Smith to shell the catch. 'The England team are trying to do it quite often to a lot of batters,' Sudharsan said after the first day's play in Manchester. 'Probably even the other side (offside) as well, They give a half-volley wide outside just to make us drive, or down the leg just to make us play something different. 'Yes, I was a bit aware coming into this game, so it actually helped.' The thing to remember with that line of attack is, while it can result in a dismissal, it also offers Sudharsan the opportunity to pluck off runs. While his alignement can go awry at times, most top-level batters will score off deliveries bowled down leg too. And although it may not be possible to do it mid-series, the technical issue is one that can be sorted. Sudharsan eventually did fall to Stokes again, making it three dismissals out of three in Test cricket to the same bowler, but not before he had made 61 runs. Of equal importance was the fact that he had faced 151 balls. Again for the first time away from home since Pujara in December 2022, and outside Asia for the first time since Pujara in England in August 2021. Along the way, Sudharsan was tested by Stokes in particular. The England captain has been his side's best bowler in the series, and he was constantly at the batters. It was a contest Sudharsan relished. 'It was actually a really enjoyable experience," he said. "Because the best bowler in the country is steaming in, trying to hit you hard and you are batting there and giving your best for the team. That's one of the best feelings you can have. And of course playing against England on their home soil, definitely, you have to be ready for that aggressive nature. So I enjoyed it very well.' Stokes finally got his man with a short ball aimed at the body, as Sudharsan couldn't keep his pull down and was caught at fine leg. The batter later said that ball had bounced more than expected, which had happened a few times from the Pavilion End, where Stokes got him. But until his dismissal, Sudharsan showed the grit, nous and class to withstand whatever England threw at him, and find a way to score runs. It's that hunger for runs and the aptitude to find solutions to what the bowlers plan for him that could stand Sudharsan in good stead.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Cheteshwar Pujara decodes Jasprit Bumrah's real weapon – and it's not his action or angle
Manchester: India's Jasprit Bumrah during a training session ahead of the fourth Test cricket match between India and England, at Old Trafford, in Manchester, England. (PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar)(PTI07_21_2025_000263A) Without a doubt, Jasprit Bumrah is unique in every sense, in short he is a cheat code. If India has become a force to reckon with overseas, a lot of credit should go to Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian speedster has played 47 Tests and picked up 217 wickets at an average of 19.48. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! India batter Cheteshwar Pujara , who has spent a lot of time fielding while Bumrah bowls, revealed what he believes is the pacer's biggest strength. 'Most people talk about Bumrah's skills with the ball, his angle or his action, but his biggest strength is often overlooked,' said Pujara in his BBC column. Poll What do you think is Jasprit Bumrah's biggest strength as a bowler? Exceptional bowling skills Brilliant cricket brain Unique bowling action Ability to outsmart batters 'He has a brilliant cricket brain, which comes from his time in the IPL . 'There he worked with people like former Sri Lanka bowler Lasith Malinga and has gained the skills to outsmart a batter. 'His first instinct is always to bowl his best ball, but if a batter gets in, he knows all of their strengths and weaknesses. 'He has taken the skills from white-ball cricket to become the complete Test bowler.' Injuries, rain, availability concerns: Team India on edge in Manchester | Exclusive updates ahead of 4th Test Pujara also shared one of his favourite moments from India's tour of England in 2018, when Jasprit Bumrah helped him reach his century. 'I was on 96 when he came out at number 11, and I have to admit I did not think I would get there, but he walked in and said, 'I will defend. I don't know if I will survive, but I will do my best.' 'I ended up finishing on 132 not out as we put on 46 for the last wicket. 'That day sums him up – because whether batting or bowling, he is a very competitive cricketer,' said Pujara. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘We realised he was our wildcard that would play for India for very long time..': Cheteshwar Pujara on his early memories of Jasprit Bumrah
Even though India lost the Lord's Test against England last week, the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy saw the 31-year-old Indian pacer taking his 13th five-for in Tests overseas with the five-wicket haul in England first innings breaking Kapil Dev's earlier record of most five-for by an Indian bowlers in overseas Tests. While Bumrah, who has played in 47 Tests, has a total of 217 wickets in his Test career, Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has recalled how he saw Bumrah as 'India's wildcard' early in pacer's career. 'It was on his first tour of England in 2018 when he went up another level as a bowler. By the time we went to Australia the following winter we realised he was our wildcard that would play for India for a very long time. He was instrumental as we won in Australia for the first time. You may remember on that tour of England a hooping inswinger he bowled to Keaton Jennings who was out lbw without playing a shot. England's batters just could not read his swing and, using the Dukes ball for the first time, when he got it to move, it moved a long I had bowled a ball like that one to Jennings I would have been running around celebrating and talking about it for ages. Jasprit stayed cool and didn't ever brag. He just gets on with the next delivery,' Pujara wrote in his column of BBC Sport. After making his debut in IPL, Bumrah would first break into the Indian test team in South Africa in 2018. The then 25-year-old would end with four wickets in the Cape Town Test in the series. Pujara, who was playing in the Test match which India lost by 72 runs, recalled how he had first faced Bumrah in a club match long before he played in IPL and for India. The Saurashtra batsman also shared how Bumrah was unlike any other bowler due to his unique action and was quicker than Mohammad Shami. 'Throughout the following years he began to make his name in the Indian Premier League but before he played his first Test in Cape Town in South Africa in 2018, there were still a lot of question marks around him in India. His action was unique, people questioned whether he would be able to swing the red ball or if he had the consistency and control for the longer format. He may have only taken four wickets in that first Test but he answered all of those questions. I remember standing at first slip with Virat Kohli next to me at second and Shikhar Dhawan at third. We were all saying how it just felt unlike any of the other bowlers. We had Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya playing in that game but again he felt different. Shami was quick but Bumrah was quicker,' Pujara wrote further. Bumrah's 13 th five-for in overseas Tests came in 35 overseas Tests while Kapil Dev had made the earlier record of 12 five-for in overseas Tests in 66 overseas Tests for India. Bumrah, who will be featuring in the Manchester Test, currently has 49 wickets in 11 Tests in England. With Wasim Akram currently holds the record of an Asian bowler with most number of Test wickets in England with a tally of 53 wickets in 14 Test matches in England. Pujara would also talk about how the Indian pacer is a keen observer of the game even while sitting in the dressing room. 'In the dressing room he is always watching the game. Most fast bowlers come off the field and relax with their feet up. He does relax but he always has an eye on the field. When I used to sit next to him he would always be giving an input on what our batters or the opposition could be doing differently, which is why he was viewed as a candidate to be captain before India appointed Shubman Gill. Most people talk about Bumrah's skills with the ball, his angle or his action but his biggest strength is often overlooked. He has a brilliant cricket brain which comes from his time in the IPL. There he worked with people like former Sri Lanka bowler Lasith Malinga and has gained the skills to outsmart a batter. His first instinct is always to bowl his best ball but if a batter gets in he knows all of their strengths and weaknesses. He has taken the skills from white-ball cricket to become the complete Test bowler,' Pujara wrote. The Indian batsman also recalled how Bunch had helped him get to a hundred in the fourth Test against England at Southampton during the 2018 England series. Puraja and Bumrah had added 46 for the last wicket as Pujara completed his hundred and remained unbeaten on 132 runs. 'One of my favourite moments on that England tour in 2018 came in Southampton when Jasprit helped me get through to a hundred in the first innings. I was on 96 when he came out at number 11 and I have to admit I did not think I would get there but he walked in and said 'I will defend. I don't know if I will survive but I will do my best. I ended up finishing on 132 not out as we put on 46 for the last wicket. That day sums him up because whether batting or bowling he is a very competitive cricketer. When it comes to his bowling, no matter the situation of the game, he always wants and believes he can get a wicket. Ultimately, he is the perfect team man,' wrote Pujara.
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
England vs India: Meet Alex – autograph-hunter in age of selfie-seekers who has 3 garages at home stocked with his treasures
It has been stumps a couple of hours ago but the day hasn't ended for the middle-aged man leaning against the wall of the tiny security booth next to the Headingley front gate. He stands there protecting his two extra-large grocery bags full of books from the spitting rain, a certain precursor for a downpour in these parts. It is just then that the last of the commentators to leave the arena – Cheteshwar Pujara and Dinesh Karthik – head for their waiting car. The 47-year-old Alex, in an instant, picks a few books, checks the pens in his pocket and joins a small army of fans in chasing the two former India players. He manages barely a second or two with Pujara before those clicking pictures with smartphones elbow him out of their frame. Autograph-Hunters vs Selfie-Seekers is hardly a battle, those with pens and paper are being outnumbered and outfoxed. It is a losing battle. Alex is a retail banker now but has been a signature-collector since he was 13. He too carries a camera phone, he also asks for pictures, but only after he has got the all-important scribble. 'You saw me with Pujara and Karthik, I was more interested in getting the autograph first, for me that is the winning ticket. I think there's always another chance for a picture, whereas if you don't get the autograph, the player may die on you, as morbid as that sounds,' Alex tells The Indian Express. 'The new-age fan will put more emphasis on selfies because it is all Facebook, Instagram … They want to show 'I'm with the stars, I'm with the stars'. For me, it's more the history of the game.' History takes up a lot of space in Alex's life – three big garages, to be specific. Among his collection are lots of Wisdens – the yellow-covered annual almanac, also known as the cricket Bible. The oldest one he has is from the time of World War II, the latest has Harry Brook on the cover. He also possesses all the issues in between the two. Along with the Wisdens, he has 5,000 sports books with signatures. 'I have three garages and heavy-duty locking boxes full of books. It is a passion of mine. When I moved out of my parents' home, which would have been 2010, I think they were glad to see the back of not just me but the books,' he says. 'There were at least a few rooms vacant for them. I am an observer of the game, I like to reminisce about past matches, past players. I like to meet them, I like to get their autographs. It is just a good way of meeting different people, through different ages, through all walks of life.' Along with 'different people', Alex would also bump into those with the same passion as him. While at Lord's once, he met Ilias, a fellow autograph-hunter, who would become a friend for life and someone who would add a sense of adventure to their common pursuit. 'I've known Ilias for about 27 years. He set himself a challenge to get autographs of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year that are announced every year. So I thought this was a good adventure. He has been doing it for a while, he goes to charity events, dinners, and even funerals,' says Alex, who has his own stories of chasing sports stars. With time, autograph-seekers get an idea of where they could find the stars. 'Over the years, you get an idea where players are going or staying. There are a lot of guys who go down to the hotels for the current players and commentators. I collect most of my signatures at the ground or at dinners. Like the other week, I went to a dinner event where Graham Gooch and Barry Richards were there,' says the passionate autograph-seeker. Having seen so many cricketers sign his books, Alex has his own favourites and the ones he finds 'difficult'. 'Sunil Gavaskar is very good at signing autographs. He will stand there and sign 10 things for you. You're lucky if you get one with Vivian Richards. Alastair Cook, Ricky Ponting … they are good. The most difficult was Sir Garfield Sobers, because obviously he's so elusive and doesn't like giving his autograph too frequently … Kevin Pietersen doesn't give you the time of day,' says Alex. Do signatures give an idea about a person? 'I think it does in a way, because you'll see the modern-day players in county cricket, a lot of them just give you a little initials now, or a squiggle. Not to say they're not nice people, they might do it for quickness … but I think it tells you a lot about the character. Like say a Joe Root takes his time with an autograph,' says Alex, agreeing that in these days of insta-messaging and emojis, signatures are getting smaller. But does he at times feel insulted when snubbed or neglected by the stars? He does but … 'It's crazy really and very addictive. I have gotten a lot better since I have been married. You have got to look at it like smoking, like drinking, like alcohol, like women,' he says and follows it with a profound philosophy of standing in soaking rain waiting for cricketers. 'My wife says this is a complete waste of time. She would look down on me pestering people for autographs. She asks me – 'What are you going to do with it, you're keeping it in garages, in the house. Are you really appreciating the value of this stuff, or the effort you've put in to get it as well?'. I totally understand what she is saying. But I enjoy this. I mean we're all on this earth for a very short time. I think we have to enjoy what our passions are.' With that, he once again glances at the stadium gate with searching eyes – that's his signature move.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Watch: 'Proper doppelganger!' – Dinesh Karthik reveals Cheteshwar Pujara lookalike
Cheteshwar Pujara (Photo by) Former Indian cricketer and commentator Dinesh Karthik has shared a light-hearted video on social media featuring Indian Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara and his doppelganger Alex Noble, a BBC Sport journalist, during the ongoing Test series between England and India. Karthik, who is part of the broadcast team for the series, created a playful moment by introducing the two lookalikes to each other and capturing their reactions. The video, shared on Karthik's Instagram account, shows him introducing both Pujara and Noble while highlighting their striking resemblance despite being from different parts of the world. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "What I'm going to show you right now is one cricketer and another person who look so similar, from a completely different part of the globe. Let me show you all. This is Cheteshwar Pujara, Indian cricketer, and a man who's into broadcasting recently, and have a look at this, this is Alex Noble," Karthik said in the video. The clip features Karthik asking both individuals about their resemblance, which resulted in laughter among those present. Noble, who works as a sports journalist with BBC Sport, was identified by Karthik as Pujara's 'proper doppelganger'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Won't Believe the Price of These Dubai Apartments Binghatti Developers FZE Get Offer Undo Pujara, who has represented India in 103 Test matches and scored 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, last appeared for the national team in 2023 during the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. Poll Is Dinesh Karthik a better commentator or cricketer? Better commentator Better cricketer Both equally good Since then, Pujara has been absent from the national setup, missing both the home series against New Zealand and the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. He has maintained his cricket presence by participating in domestic cricket. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy , Pujara represented Saurashtra and scored 402 runs in seven matches, maintaining an average of 40.20. His performance included a double century. Currently, he is contributing to the broadcast team covering the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
