Cheteshwar Pujara scored 14 and 27 in the WTC 2023 final.
This was after Australia, asked to bat first, put on 469 runs in their first innings. India responded by scoring 296 runs despite losing the first four wickets including that of Virat Kohli for 71 runs on the board. Half-centuries from Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur helped India limit the deficit to 173 runs.
But the lack of a second spinner and poor backup fast bowlers hampered India’s chances as Australia posted 270/8d in the second innings. India was nowhere in the chase after the top order failed to continue on the starts, they got.
One of those batters was Cheteshwar Pujara, from whom much was expected as he played English county cricket for some time before the WTC final. However, he could manage only 14 and 27 runs respectively in the two innings.
However, his dismissal in the second innings irked India legend Sunil Gavaskar. Pujara, known for his stoic defense and technique, was out caught behind when he tried to play an upper ramp shot off Pat Cummins.
In his column for the mid-day, Gavaskar says he cannot understand why Pujara, known for sticking to orthodox cricket shots, would go for such an extravagant attempt.
“For me, though the shot selection of the skipper Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara was the disappointing aspect of the Indian innings. Why Pujara attempted a ramp shot is hard to understand for that is not a shot he employs regularly," Gavaskar wrote.
Pujara’s shot came only right after the dismissal of Rohit Sharma had jolted India.
“To even try it two deliveries after Rohit was out was also questioning the thinking at the time. Pujara is known for his patience and willingness to take blows but keep occupying the crease so why on earth did he look to play that shot when runs were not the need but preserving wickets was essential?
Pressure can get a player to do strange things and that’s why Test cricket is the highest form of the game and the World Test Championship final, the ultimate Test match," Gavaskar added.
India will now travel to West Indies for two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is and it remains to be seen whether the selectors continue with Pujara or if someone new is given a chance in the next cycle of the World Test Championship.