AUS v IND 2018-19: Shubman Gill terms Pujara’s Australia heroics as a benchmark for youngsters

Pujara played an instrumental role in India’s first-ever Test series victory down under, scoring 521 runs at an average of 74.72.

Pujara batted for a record 1258 deliveries in the four-match Test series against Australia | Getty

Shubman Gill, who is seen as the future of Indian cricket, mesmerised by Cheteshwar Pujara's marathon effort in Australia and said that India’s eminent No.3 has set a benchmark for the youngsters.

Pujara played an instrumental role in India’s first-ever Test series victory down under, scoring 521 runs at an average of 74.72. He scored hundreds in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney to script India’s twin victories in the series. While the Saurashtra batsman scored 123 in the Test series opener, he scored 106 and 193 in the third and fourth Test respectively.

"There are very few batsmen who can bat through the day and look to play out the balls. He (Pujara) played over 1200 balls in one tour, which is really phenomenal. To score 500 runs in a tour looks possible. But to face so many deliveries is setting a benchmark for the youngsters," Gill told reporters on the sidelines of a Ranji Trophy Elite Group B fixture at the Jadavpur University Saltlake Campus ground.

"There is a lot to learn seeing the way Cheteshwar Pujara bats, his patience at the crease. Australia had the world's top bowlers and to score against them on those tough pitches is phenomenal. I love watching him bat. Nowadays the batsmen look to score quick runs," he added.

Gill got out for 91 in the ongoing Ranji Trophy clash against Bengal. He tried to step out against Mukesh Kumar only to mishit the delivery at mid-off.

"I'm pretty happy with the way I'm batting. But surely I can work on the way I'm getting out. I can work on certain areas when I'm batting good. Sometimes, I tend to go with the flow.

"In Test matches, you tend to bat in sessions. There will be a period when a bowler will do well and when I will score runs. You have to be smart to pick the ones where you would capitalise," the 19-year-old said.

After returning from India A's tour of New Zealand, Gill amassed the scores of 268, 148 and 69 not out while opening the innings. Recently, veteran batsman Yuvraj Singh also backed Gill to be a part of the Indian team after the 2019 World Cup.

"When a person like Yuvraj says something like that it means I am doing good and on the right track. It is a big boost in confidence. After playing two matches I went to India A tour and then came back and continued to score. I am happy not to lose the rhythm of scoring runs," Gill asserted.

"I see very fewer chances now. Our one-day team is very strong and the World Cup is around the corner. We have won a very good Test series. Let's see," he concluded.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 09 Jan, 2019

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