Cheteshwar Pujara proves virtue of patience with epic double vs Australia

Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s number three batsman, compiled a marathon knock of 202 spread over more than 11 hours to put his team in a strong position in the third Test against Australia

Cheteshwar Pujara may not be the biggest crowd-pleaser in an Indian team teeming with stroke-makers, but the 29-year-old proved why he is such a crucial cog in the Test side with an epic double century on Sunday. (DAY 5 BLOG)

Cheteshwar Pujara scored his third double ton on Day 4 of the India vs Australia fourth Test. (REUTERS)

India’s number three batsman painstakingly compiled a marathon knock of 202 spread over more than 11 hours to put his team in a strong position in the third Test against Australia. (DAY 5 SCORECARD)

Pujara became the first Indian batsman to face 500 balls in a Test innings, further testimony to his unwavering focus and seemingly infinite patience.

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“The way Puji was batting at the other end, it did not look like he would ever get out,” Wriddhiman Saha, Pujara’s ally in a 199-run seventh wicket partnership, told reporters.

“Puji has so much patience. He scores 200-300 in domestic cricket almost routinely. He showed great patience today.”

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Even the normally reliable Ajinkya Rahane fell, attempting a ramp shot more suited to Twenty20 cricket.

Patient Pujara

One of the few India internationals not contracted to any of the franchises in the country’s big-money Twenty20 league, Pujara, however, put a premium on his wicket.

“You have to look at the bigger picture,” the right-hander told Star Sports channel after wearing down the Australian bowlers with his mammoth 525-ball knock.

“When I was batting, I was thinking anyhow we need to get close to that total.

“I was watching the ball really well. I wanted to play more shots but I had to restrict myself because we wanted to build a partnership and I did not want to give my wicket away.”

Lehmann’s praise

Pujara’s third double century helped India earn a 152-run first innings lead, drawing praise from Australia coach Darren Lehmann.

“He’s very disciplined and played really well. That’s why he is a class player,” Lehmann said after the fourth day’s play in the first test to be played at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium in Ranchi.

“He bats for a long period of time. His conversion rate from 50 to 100 and 100 to 150 are pretty high.

“When he gets in, he likes to go on with it. That’s a challenge for our bowling group, to find a way to get him out early.”