WTC Final 2023, IND vs AUS: Cheteshwar Pujara emerges as major threat to Aussies
WTC Final 2023: Cheteshwar Pujara is the best-prepared Indian batter for the World Test Championship final versus Australia, which will take place at The Oval in London on June 7. When his teammates grinding it out in the Indian Premier League back home in extreme heat and humidity, the India No. 3 spent the last two months with Sussex in the English County.
Pujara adjusted well and swiftly, scoring 545 runs in six innings.
Since his 521 runs in seven innings during the 2018–19 Down Under tour, the right-hander has been a nemesis of the Australians. Although he did not score any hundreds in the 2020–21 series, his tenacious fifties made sure that India won in Sydney and Brisbane.
Since Pujara is accustomed to the conditions by this point, it goes without saying that the Aussies will be cautious of him in the WTC final.
Pujara will be somewhat better able to counteract the threat posed by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood because he has experience playing strong English seamers in the County, especially players like Ollie Robinson at the Sussex nets.
After being dropped from the team following the Test series against South Africa in early 2022 due to poor form, Pujara encountered difficulties. He made eight appearances in the County Championship that year, scoring 1,094 runs at a staggering average of 109.40 to rejoin the Indian Test team.
The old-school Test cricketer continued to play in top form in 2023 and even led Sussex.
Three century and a fifty were among Pujara's 545 runs, which came at an average of 68.12.
The pitch at The Oval will help the seamers, but after the first two days, there will be something for the spinners as well. Since he has 2,033 runs and five international against Australia in 24 Tests, Pujara need not be concerned. His international average in England (29.60 in 15 Tests with one century; 132 not out in Southampton against England in 2018) will be something he will be eager to beat.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that in addition to Virat Kohli, Pujara will be the star for India in the series.
"Pujara has been a thorn in their side a lot in the past and in Australia. This wicket will potentially be a lot more like an Australian pitch. They know they'll have to get him early," Ponting said in The ICC Review.
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- With inputs from agencies
