India needed Cheteshwar Pujara to protect them like a shield in the second innings of the third Test against England and he didn't disappoint. Although the task is not even half done yet, Pujara was spectacular with the bat on Day 3 as the visitors looked to save the Headingley Test.
India are still 139 runs behind England's huge first-innings lead of 354 runs. They were humiliated in the first essay after being bundled out on 78 runs by the English pacers.
Pujara, who hasn't been in fine form this year, finally took the responsibility and played out the entire day. The visitors ended the day's play with 215/2 as Pujara (91*) and skipper Virat Kohli (45*) fight for India.
Former India cricketer Ashish Nehra was impressed with Pujara's confident batting display on Day 3. He liked the way India's number 3 batsman scored runs smoothly with a terrific strike rate.
“The way Pujara batted today, I’ve never seen him doing something like that before. He had a positive mindset and his gameplay is completely different. I hope he wasn't under any kind of pressure related to his performance. I believe, it was his own thought process that I’d play this way today,” Nehra told Sony Sports Network.
“People say Pujara plays slow. It’s not about 5-10 Test matches. He has played around 90 games for India and has 6000 runs to his credit. You have achieved success with this batting style. Just leave what people are talking about, if he continues to play with the mindset he had today, you would witness a completely different Pujara,” he added.
Nehra hasn't ruled out the possibility of a fightback from the Indian cricket team on Day 4. He feels India can put the pressure back on the hosts which can only be possible if they bat out throughout the day.
“It’s a possibility that India can bat for the entire fourth day, take a 100-150 lead and put the pressure back on England. The way the pitch has behaved this far, winning isn’t easy but you need to cross those little milestones to stay there,” Nehra said.
(Inputs from Sony Sports live telecast)
