Allan Border credited Australia bowlers for putting relentless pressure on Indian batsmen but said Cheteshwar Pujara was playing to survive rather than looking to score on Day 3 of the 3rd Test in Sydney.
Former Australian captain Allan Border criticized Cheteshwar Pujara’s approach, saying the India star was seemingly scared to play a shot as he scored his slowest 50 off 176 balls. Earlier, Ricky Ponting had also criticized his slow batting.
Allan Border: Cheteshwar Pujara Scared To Play A Shot
Questions have been asked of Cheteshwar Pujara’s approach even though he top-scored with a fifty besides opener Shubman Gill who also scored exactly 50 as India were bundled out for 244 on Day 3 of the Sydney Test.
Cheteshwar Pujara batted 176 balls for his fifty, his slowest in Test cricket as India struggled to keep the scoreboard moving in the opening session on Saturday. His batting partner and stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane made 22 from 76 balls before he was undone by the variable bounce on the SCG pitch.
Cheteshwar Pujara had a strike rate of 28.41 and he failed to convert his start into a big knock after edging an unplayable delivery from Pat Cummins. Hanuma Vihari, who isn’t in form, hit 4 from 38 balls as India failed to make use of the momentum set by openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill who added 70 on 2nd day.
“He [Pujara] is almost scared to play a shot, isn’t he? He is playing to survive rather than looking to score,” Allan Border told foxsports.com.au.
“He’s not had quite the same impact this series in that he’s taken so long to score his runs, it’s like he’s stagnated at the crease and it has had a bit of a ripple effect through the Indian batting. They can’t seem to get on top of Australia’s bowling.”
Cheteshwar Pujara top-scored with 521 runs during India’s historic 2-1 maiden Test series win in Australia in 2018-19 but the batsman hasn’t been able to replicate his scoring form. His scores of 43, 0, 17, 3 and 50 have not impacted India’s fortunes in the absence of Virat Kohli who has headed home on paternity leave after playing 1st Test.
Allan Border: Australia’s Bowling Has Been Very Good
Allan Border also credited the Australian bowling attack for putting relentless pressure on India’s batting unit in Sydney. Pat Cummins bowled 21.4 overs conceding just 29 runs besides picking up 4 wickets. 10 of Josh Hazlewood’s 21 overs were maidens like Pat Cummins while Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc conceded runs below 3.5 per over.
“Credit where credit is due, the bowling has been very good and Australia haven’t allowed them to get away. That’s half the battle as well, the guy’s been hard to get out but if the scoreboard is not moving, eventually you get your rewards,” Allan Border stated.
Australia ended Day 3 in a commanding position as they have sealed a 197-run lead ending day 3 at stumps with the score of 103/2. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have found form as the duo stitched an unbeaten 50-plus stand to add to India’s woes on Saturday.