Cheteshwar Pujara's best 5 Test innings (Source: @jinkswall188/x.com)
Eyes locked on the ball, stumps defended, and standing unyielding like a wall-that’s Cheteshwar Pujara, the fortress bowlers could never break. Over the years, across the nation, amidst all the challenges, Pujara stood tall in all the situations, pushing India towards some iconic Test victories.
Summing up Pujara’s contribution in Indian cricket couldn’t be expressed in words. Today, on January 25, when the great Indian batter is celebrating his 38th birthday, let’s relive his best five Test knocks when he redefined the name of ‘the wall 2.o’.
5. 206 vs England in 2017 in Ahmedabad
All the firsts are important, but if the tale is about the maiden double hundred in Test, that is nothing short of dreamy. Cheteshwar Pujara touched that long-chased dream in 2012. In the first Test match of the four-match Test series, India faced England in Ahmedabad, and the batter created history.
As the Men in Blue batted first, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag stitched a solid partnership. After Gambhir missed the half-century, Pujara joined Sehwag on the field, and the world saw a brilliant combination of ice and fire. Starting with a 67-ball 50, Pujara touched the magical three-figure mark in 190 deliveries.
The English bowlers struggled to get rid of his defense, but on that day, Pujara was destined to make history. Steering India to a commanding total, he smashed his maiden Test double hundred, remaining unbeaten on 206 after facing 389 balls.
4. 123 vs Australia in 2018 in Adelaide
Facing Australia on their home soil is the ultimate test for any touring side, but with Cheteshwar Pujara in the lineup, the challenge felt manageable. When India traveled to the Aussie land in 2018, the pressure mounted on the Men in Blue until the batter came in to rescue with a classic knock in the Adelaide Test.
While India batted first in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia secured early domination as India lost four wickets in just 41 runs. After the stars returned, scoring low, Pujara stepped in with a brave heart. Anchoring the innings, he showcased unreal grit as Aussie bowlers faced peak frustration.
Smashing a thrilling half-century in 153 runs, he tightened his grip. Australia threw everything as the batter refused to walk back. Scoring a sublime century in 231 balls, he steadied India’s innings. Just when everything seemed set for something bigger, an unfortunate run-out brought an end to his marathon stay at 123 off 246 balls.
3. 153 vs South Africa in 2013 in Johannesburg
If the Australian condition throws an unreal challenge, the South African condition just makes life harder. In those bouncy pitches, standing for a little becomes tougher, but once Cheteshwar Pujara stood tall and even crossed the 150-run mark with sheer courage. During India’s 2013 tour of South Africa, he produced one of the finest innings of his Test career.
Facing the Proteas in the first Test in Johannesburg, Team India faced a setback in the first innings, but in the second innings, was holding some surprises. While opening the innings, Shikhar Dhawan walked out early, and Pujara stitched a crucial stand with Murali Vijay. But once Vijay walked away, Pujara-Kohli’s historic stand turned the tide.
Anchoring the innings, the batter scored a 168-ball century, and fans lauded his heroics. Facing those unreal turns and bounces, he touched the 150-run mark in 247 deliveries. That marathon effort laid the foundation for India’s 480-run total and ultimately helped the match end in a hard-fought draw.
2. 202 vs Australia in 2017 in Ranchi
After Cheteshwar Pujara debuted for India, he quickly emerged as the perfect successor to Rahul Dravid. With unmatched grit, patience, and wall-like defense, he made bowlers across the globe rethink their strategies. In his glorious Test career, the Indian batter played countless memorable knocks, but the 202 against Australia is still a classic.
In 2017, when India and Australia faced each other, the Ranchi crows witnessed Pujara’s brilliance. After the mighty Aussies put on a massive total on the board, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul gave a dominating start. After Rahul’s dismissal, Pujara walked on, and the lethal Australian bowlers faced the heat.
Anchoring the innings, he scored a fascinating hundred, but he planned for some brutal Aussie assault. Displaying unbelievable grit, he crossed 150 and kept the cricketing world in awe, eventually scoring a double century off 521 balls. Battling for an epic 11 hours, he frustrated Australia relentlessly until Nathan Lyon finally dismissed him for 202.
1. 56 vs Australia in 2021 in Brisbane
Centuries showcase heroics and double centuries signal brilliance, but it’s the underrated knocks that truly reveal a player’s character. Over the years, the world clapped for his heroics, but his incredible half-century in the historic Gabba Test should be remembered as one of the greatest knocks of his career.
Whenever India and Australia meet, the clash becomes a classic, but nothing spread excitement like the Gabba Test. The Test was set to decide the future of the series, and Team India nailed that. In the fourth innings, Team India needed 328 runs to seal the trophy, and Gill set the tone with a flamboyant 91.
Batting at number 3, Pujara played the hidden role. With a gritty fifty, he steadied India’s ship. Showcasing unreal patience, he scored a 196-ball 50, leaving the Aussie bowlers frustrated. On a day when Australia had all the weapons, and India relied purely on belief, that knock paved the way for a historic three-wicket win and stood as one of the bravest innings of his career.
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