Pujara's presence in the team is incomparable: Ajinkya Rahane

Team India's stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane praised Cheteshwar Pujara for his batting efforts in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Pujara has once again been the model of concentration in the just-concluded series against Australia. Ajinkya Rahane pointed out that Pujara is a priceless asset to the current Indian Test team. The third Test match in Sydney witnessed Pujara score back-to-back half-centuries off 174 and 170 balls in the first and second innings. His knock helped the visitors draw that game and keep the series alive.

Pujara's low strike-rate during the series was a matter of concern. However, several cricket experts opined that he should try and up the stakes after settling in the crease. Ajinkya Rahane talked about Cheteshwar Pujara's style of batting. The skipper explained why Pujara's method of exhausting the opposition bowlers always helps the other Indian batsman down the order. 

Cheteshwar Pujara's determination and focus has to be idolized: Ajinkya Rahane

The batsman from Saurashtra now aggregates 993 runs from 21 innings in Australia at an average of 47.28. This also includes three hundred, five half-centuries and a highest score of 193 runs. The right-handed batsman was also the second-highest run-scorer for the side in the Test series against Australia. He scored 271 runs from eight innings. Pujara had too faced around 928 balls which is the most by any player in the series. He will always be remembered for his masterpiece in the fourth and final match at the Gabba.

In India's second innings, they had a massive target of 328 runs to chase for an incredible victory. The middle-order batsman impressed everyone after his gutsy knock of 56 from 211 balls. Although the batsman got hit on different parts of his body, he stood still on the crease and didn't throw his wicket away.

Pujara also made a crucial partnership with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant that helped the team record a historic win. Ajinkya Rahane further mentioned that the entire team had utmost respect with the way Pujara played the decider match. There is no doubt that the batsman did a thankless job of nullifying the new ball's effect and wearing down opposition like Australia. Thus, he is going to continue his excellent form in red-ball cricket for the Indian cricket team.

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