Cheteshwar Pujara reveals the shot he can never play
Cheteshwar Pujara will feature in the IPL for the first time since the 2014 season. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought Pujara for a sum of 50 Lakhs INR in the auction. That was ahead of the start of IPL 2021. He has been playing some good cricket in recent times in the longer formats of the game. Now, Pujara has revealed his favorite shot.
Cheteshwar Pujara revealed that the most daring shot that he has played is scooping fast bowler over the fine-leg boundary. He further stated that he has played that particular shot three to four times in the IPL. He even hit a boundary using that shot in the 2014 season of the Indian Premier League. Pujara is known to be a master-craftsman, who can more or less do anything with a cricket bat.
What Cheteshwar Pujara said in a chat with ESPNCricinfo recently?
“The scoop over fine leg against a fast bowler (is my most fearless stroke). Even in the IPL, I have done that. At least three or four times. I remember getting a four that way when we played in Dubai (in 2014).”
Cheteshwar Pujara also lauded the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. He revealed that he can never play the reverse scoop shot in the manner Rishabh Pant plays. He added that Pant has a unique way of approaching things. Pujara feels that Pant’s fearless attitude is the secret to his success.
Cheteshwar Pujara praises Rishabh Pant and talks about the special shots
“Never! I cannot do that. I can’t do that (smiles). Going over third man (by reverse-scooping) as a right-hander is tough. Going over the fine leg that I have tried. Well, (he has) a unique way of looking at things. He is successful because he is fearless.”
The Indian Test stalwart feels that Rishabh Pant backs his instincts and he should continue in play the way he does. Pant can only be successful by playing his natural game. Pujara revealed that everyone in the dressing room was stunned by the audacious shots that Pant was playing. However, he feels that there is nothing wrong with the shots that he was playing if he continues to execute them successfully every time.
What the 33-year-old concluded by saying?
“And he has to bat the way he knows – by assessing the situation, and if he thinks he can do that, then why not. He can only be successful backing his own strengths. He is very instinctive. And he has to stick to that. Everyone including us in the dressing room was stunned, but that is something unique about him. If he can pull that off, again and again, there is nothing wrong.”
The 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will start on April 9. The defending champions Mumbai Indians will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match of IPL 2021 in Chennai. Chennai Super Kings will face Delhi Capitals in their first campaign of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 10.
It will be interesting to see if Cheteshwar Pujara finds his place in the CSK playing XI. Pujara will be looking to make his mark in the T20 format in this IPL. So, he will be desperately hoping to find his place in the CSK playing XI to make his mark.
What next for the player in IPL 2021; can he really impress in the T20 format?
The next edition of the Indian Premier League will be starting from the 9th of April. Keeping that in mind, the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and co. will want to impress. The Chennai Super Kings team has been struggling to find form and was the first side to get knocked out of the IPL the last term. They will want to really impress this time.
Skipper MS Dhoni will want the youngsters to fire. Some of these talented starlets do have the qualities to lead CSK to bigger and better things. With that being said, it will be interesting to see whether the team from Chennai can turn things around or not. For now, the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara will be hoping to get into the playing eleven. Is he ready for the T20 format, let’s hope so!!
