Cheteshwar Pujara Builds Ideal Test Batter With Legends; Ignores Steve Smith

Pujara picks Kohli, ignores Steve Smith [Source: AFP]

Steve Smith is inarguably one of the greatest Test batters of all time. Among all active Test cricketers, only Joe Root has aggregated more runs than the Australian run-machine.

Despite his proficiency in Tests, Smith found no place in Cheteshwar Pujara’s “ideal Test batter”. To be fair, Pujara’s ideal Test batter was built around specific attributes rather than simply picking the most statistically accomplished players. 

He did pick three former Indian cricketers, a couple of South Africans, one West Indies legend, one New Zealander and an English batting behemoth in his fascinating combination of the qualities he believes make up the perfect Test batter.

Legacy of Sachin Tendulkar, footwork of Virat Kohli makes for Pujara’s ideal Test batter

While speaking on Cricinfo, former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara was asked to build his “ideal Test batter”.

In terms of “game sense”, former New Zealand captain and all-format great Kane Williamson fits the bill for the Indian batting barnacle. Pujara, often considered a spiritual successor to Rahul Dravid, fittingly named the latter in terms of perfect technique.

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For his ability to defend against spin and fast bowlers, the 38-year-old named England skipper Joe Root and former South African cricketer Hashim Amla, respectively.

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Sep 5, 2026, 2:01 PM

The cricketer-turned-commentator picked Virat Kohli for his impeccable footwork, and the likes of Jacques Kallis and Brian Lara for consistency and ability to score big runs, respectively.

Lastly, Cheteshwar Pujara named all-time great and Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar for “legacy”.

• Game sense – Kane Williamson
• Technique – Rahul Dravid
• Defence vs spin – Joe Root
• Defence vs fast bowlers – Hashim Amla
• Footwork – Virat Kohli
• Consistency – Jacques Kallis
• Ability to score big – Brian Lara
• Legacy – Sachin Tendulkar

Cheteshwar Pujara surprisingly ignored Steve Smith

(Steve Smith's exceptional Test record)

While Cheteshwar Pujara assembled a formidable Test batter by borrowing the best qualities of some of the game’s greatest-ever players, the notable omission of Steve Smith is certainly an intriguing one. 

For starters, Smith is one of the greatest Australian batters of all time and easily one of the most proficient run-makers in Test cricket among active players.

Trailing only behind Joe Root in terms of active run-makers in Tests, Smith’s illustrious batting average of 56 vastly exceeds that of his English rival (50.38). Moreover, the former Australian skipper averages well above 50 in tough playing conditions like Australia, England, India and New Zealand.  

Pujara recently picked Ravindra Jadeja over Wasim Akram to stir controversy

Incidentally, this is not the first time when Pujara unknowingly stoked controversy and divided people’s opinion by ignoring a renowned cricketing icon. 

Just last month, the former Indian top-order batter received much flak from Pakistan fans after picking Ravindra Jadeja as a better all-rounder than Wasim Akram.

In Pujara’s defence, Jadeja is a proper designated all-rounder while Wasim is more like a fast bowler who could bat a bit.

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