Brad Hogg backs Pujara: India’s Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara has been making a lot of news lately, however, for all the wrong reasons. He was receiving criticism from all corners for his poor performances in the ongoing 5-match Test series. Several cricketers and pundits even questioned his place and his confidence as a batter in the ongoing series.
However, seems like, with every passing match, the experienced Indian cricketer is finally returning back to his form. Though Pujara has managed to contribute with some crucial runs for team India lately, he has evidently failed to score in the first innings. So far, in the first 4 Tests, Pujara has only scored 4, 9, 1, and 4. However, Pujara’s performances have been significantly better in the second innings.
While he made 45 runs in the second innings of the Lord’s Test, on the other hand, he played a stunning knock of 91 runs in the second innings at Headingley. This was followed by his 61 in The Oval Test. So far, in the ongoing series, he has scored 209 runs at an average of 69.67.
Ahead of the fifth Test match in Manchester, speaking on his YouTube channel, the former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has joined in the discussion about Cheteshwar Pujara’s place in the Indian squad.
Unlike many, Brad Hogg has come out in support of Pujara as he stated that India needs Pujara at number 3 in their team. He went on to shower praises on Pujara’s defensive game and explained how it has become more potent and positive. He said:
“Pujara, you need him in the team. But he’s playing a little more aggressively as well and with that aggressiveness, his defensive game has become more potent, more positive. The footwork has created him being in a better position and harder for England to bowl to him. Pujara’s authority and attacking nature have worked well,”
Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara has recovered from the ankle blow and will be available for the 5th Test against England.
