Top 5 Test knocks by Cheteshwar Pujara

After scoring more than 7,000 Test runs in 103 games, Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from international cricket. After Rahul Dravid, he assumed the important position of No. 3, which seemed too big of shoes to be filled. He was known for his patience and tenacity and was excellent at containing elite bowling assaults over long stretches of time. Here we take a look at five of his best test knocks.

1. 56 vs Australia, 2021, Gabba

This knock has been ingrained in Indian Test history legends. Probably, there wasn’t a spot on Cheteshwar Pujara’s torso at that point that wasn’t bruised after being hit by an Australian pacer. But with already so many players having been injured, they had no choice but to continue batting as India attempted to reach an unlikely score in a venue where Australia had never lost a match.

Pujara ran Australian pacers into the ground while batting 211 deliveries for his 56. When India won their second consecutive Border-Gavaskar trophy in Australia, his 56 turned out to be one of his most significant innings in his career.

2. 123 and 71 v Australia, 2018, Adelaide

Against Australia's formidable attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, and Pat Cummins, the batter set the tone with an outstanding performance in Adelaide, saving India once more after they were 41/4 and then 86/5. India reached 250 thanks to his 123.

With a valiant 71 in the second innings, Pujara ensured that India's lead was maintained after their pacers had managed to grab a narrow lead. Throughout the series, Pujara kept up his performance for India, winning Player of the Series with 521 runs. His efforts helped India defeat Australia in their very first Test series.

3. 153 vs South Africa, 2013, Johannesburg

South Africa is the biggest Test for any subcontinent batter. For someone like Pujara, who had grown up playing in dusty pitches of Rajkot, it was like a different planet because the ball goes laterally and vertically more than it probably does anywhere else in the world.

He did, however, smash 153 against the South African bowling attack, which included the likes of Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, and Dale Steyn, this time in 2013. After playing 270 deliveries and forming an important partnership with Virat Kohli, he ultimately assisted India in drawing the Test match.

4. 77 vs Australia, 2021, Sydney

Before the drama of the series moved to the legendary Sydney Cricket Ground, India produced a spectacular comeback in Adelaide following the humiliation of getting bowled out of 36. Pujara's 77 off 205 balls was the catalyst for Rishabh Pant's comeback under pressure. 

Their 148-run partnership served as the foundation for the legendary partnership between Ravi Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari, which attracted the attention of the visitors and formed to be one of the most memorable matches for India. It was more than just batting during Pujara's five-hour vigil; it was meditation in the face of danger.

5. 206*(389) vs England, 2012, Ahmedabad 

Earlier in the year, Rahul Dravid announced his retirement from Test cricket, raising doubts about the vacant position. After being deployed at the hardest batting position in Test cricket at the age of 24, he responded effectively, scoring a century in his debut Test match against the Kiwis in August and a spectacular double-century in the series opener against England in November. 

Pujara's massive innings, which would later become the standard, helped him complete that miserable series as India's leading scorer. A declaration that the transfer was under good supervision.

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