Cheteshwar Pujara, Christchurch Test, Pull Shot
Cheteshwar Pujara. Credits: BCCI Twitter

India’s ‘Mr. Dependable’ No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara has confessed that he regrets playing the pull shot that put him on the back foot as he was dismissed in the second Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch. India ran through a terrible batting collapse in the Test series in New Zealand which they badly lost by 0-2.

However, the frustrating part is that India lost the plot even after being in the comfort zone. During the first innings of the second Test, India looked in firm control of the game at 194/4 but were eventually bundled out for just 242.

Cheteshwar Pujara, India, New Zealand, Christchurch
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

India has always been a country that suffered against the opposition when played on tracks which had a blend of seam-and-swing. It was no surprise to see the Indian batting-unit collapsing once again at the hands of the opposition.

Cheteshwar Pujara regrets playing the pull shot

Cheteshwar Pujara who is a magnificent player with a wide range of experience got dismissed as he played a careless pull shot off lanky pacer Kyle Jamieson as the ball took the top edge and eventually landed in BJ Watling’s safe pair of gloves.

“For me, the biggest regret is the shot that I played during the second Test where I tried to pull. I don’t usually. I never play that kind of a shot. It happened instinctively. I still rue it, I wonder how it happened. Once I am set, I never give my wicket away,” Cheteshwar Pujara told Indian Express after Saurashtra lifted the Ranji Trophy for the first time.

Cheteshwar Pujara, India, New Zealand, Christchurch
Cheteshwar Pujara. Credits: AP

Pujara has often come under fire for his strike-rate recently. He took more time to settle at the crease in the first innings against Saurashtra. But the dependable batsman isn’t worried by all of this.

“In the first innings, I took some 200-odd balls to score 60 something but my teammates and I knew how tough the wicket was. It was a final and there was a responsibility on my shoulders,” Cheteshwar Pujara added regarding his slow knock in Australia.

Pujara wants to stick to his original gameplan such that he will be able to unleash his full potential while playing for India at the highest level.