India’s Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara is known for occupying the crease and the Australian cricket team has been at the receiving end of his resilience on a number of occasions in recent times.
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The greatest example of it was Pujara's 525-ball 202 in the 2017 Ranchi Test. In terms of ball faced, the knock was the longest by an Indian batsman in Test history.
Recently, Pujara reflected on that epic innings, saying when the team total had crossed 500 he could see the tiredness in the eyes of the Aussie bowlers.
"I still have to give them credit," he said about the Australian bowlers while talking on Sony Ten Pit Stop.
Pujara's masterclass took India to 603/9 (declared) after Australia piled up 451 in the first innings. He bore the brunt of Australian attack as Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood bowled 77, 46, 39 and 44 overs respectively.
Pujara, who batted for 11 hours in that knock, said the 199-run partnership he shared with wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who also scored a ton, was crucial.
"They were running in throughout and trying their best to get us out. But the important thing was the partnership with Saha.
"Without him I don't think we would have achieved such a big total. At the same time, it was a pitch which didn't have much for the bowlers. (Australian bowlers) have always needed some pace from the pitch to beat the batsman.
"So it must have been very difficult for them but they kept at it with a lot of energy. As a batsman I always love such challenges. Towards the end when we scored more than 500, I could see the tiredness in their eyes."
However, Pujara’s valiant effort couldn’t ensure India’s victory in Ranchi as Peter Handscomb’s 200-ball 72 helped the visitors to pull off a draw. India won the fourth and final Test in Dharamsala to clinch the series 2-1.
(With IANS inputs)
