AUS v IND 2020-21: Cheteshwar Pujara's slowest Test fifty invites criticism on Twitter

Pujara was dismissed on 50 off 176 deliveries in the first innings of 3rd Test.

By - 09 Jan, 2021

Cheteshwar Pujara | GETTY

Cheteshwar Pujara may have topped the scorers' list for India in the first innings of the third Test but it doesn't shield him from criticism. He was slammed for a slow innings on the third day of the match at Sydney.

Pujara scored his slowest Test fifty off 174 balls which broke his previous record of a half-century in 173 deliveries against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2018.

The India number 3 batsman got out on 50 off 176 deliveries by Pat Cummins and Twitterati were furious at him for throwing away the start and allowing Australia to put more pressure. They were already deprived of runs and with wickets started falling in a cluster, Pujara's innings started hurting India more.

ALSO READ: AUS v IND 2020-21: "I don't think that was the right approach," says Ricky Ponting on Cheteshwar Pujara's slow innings

When Pujara was in the middle, Australia managed to restrict India's scoring and that pushed the visitors on the backfoot. Eventually, India were bowled out for 244.

Here are the reactions from the fans on Pujara's innings:

The problem with comparing Pujara with dravid is.Dravid used to play slow when bowlers had the upper hand whereas pujara play like this in every situation irrespective of the pitch or bowlers.Have been observing this from 2yrs.#INDvsAUS
— CS#RCB???????? (@_S_for_Sarcasm) January 9, 2021

Why Jadeja not given bowling today? Indian middle order is not well balanced as Aussies. Pujara is too slow. One down batsman should take control of the game like Labuschagne. Hanuma Vihari is not good enough. We should bring Mayank Agrawal in his place.
— Ashok Shah (@Ash1958) January 9, 2021

1.India needs player like Labuschagne in place of C.Pujara....Bcoz Too much slow innings is of No Use....That Put pressure of the other Batsmans.
2.India's Bench Strength have a potential to replace Hanuma Vihari.
3. Pant play your natural game plz@vikrantgupta73 #INDvsAUS
— @im_akash414 (@AkashSG414) January 9, 2021

@BCCI Very slow batting and inability to score and rotate strike by Pujara is actually allowing australia bowlers bowl without any risk of giving runs and just focus on that one delivery which can get Pujara or other batsman out.
— navin rana (@navin_rana) January 9, 2021

I mean nothing against Pujara but just the way Marnus is batting, keeping a healthy strike rate. Even in tests if you play that slow, it puts pressure on the other batsmen.#INDvAUS
— Ishaan Sarkar (@isark23) January 9, 2021

Pujara should play at the strike rate of 35 , 25 is very slow , kohli plays at 60 strike rate need some pase in top order ( Kl Rahul , Mayank Agarwal ???? )
— Paras Rana (@Kohli18stan) January 9, 2021

Pujara just played too slow man,you are here to win so you have to show that too. Not willing to hit anything.
— Kushal Mandhana (@KushalMandhana) January 9, 2021

Injuries, Pujara slow inning and run out are the highlight of the this series.#INDvsAUS #Jadeja
— ARJIT GUPTA (@ImArjitGupta18) January 9, 2021

Just look at the 7 wickets that have gone down for India. How many have been thrown away ? 6 wickets.
Who’s the one who didn’t throw it away by playing a bad shot ? Pujara. So much scrutiny for some sensible batting ? We surely can do better ! #AUSvIND #PinkTest
— Cricket With Ash (@CricketWithAsh) January 9, 2021

Time to call out Pujara's defensive tactics.

Nothing good has come out of excessive defending.

No intent even to rotate strike.

Costed India the game perhaps.#AUSvsIND @bhogleharsha @cricbuzz
— Aditya Sharma (@apostateindian) January 9, 2021

Never ever watch Pujara and Vihari batting together .
India needs to find a batsman who keeps the scoreboard ticking while Pujara holds ground.#INDvsAUS
— Arul Baratike (@arulbaratike) January 9, 2021

AUS v IND 2020-21: Cheteshwar Pujara's slowest Test fifty invites criticism on Twitter

Pujara was dismissed on 50 off 176 deliveries in the first innings of 3rd Test.

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