Cheteshwar Pujara’s stunning and epic knock in the ongoing fourth Test against Australia in Sydney ended in a heartbreaking manner. The right-hander was just seven runs short of becoming the second Indian after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar to score a double-century at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, a lapse in concentration saw him offering an easy catch back to bowler Nathan Lyon for 193.
With his 18th Test ton, Pujara joined an elite list, which includes the likes of Virat Kohli and batting great Sunil Gavaskar. He is now one of the few visiting batsmen to have scored three or more centuries in a series in Australia. Pujara has emulated Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan, Chris Broad, Gavaskar, Eddie Barlow and Jack Hobbs by scoring his third century. Notably, Virat Kohli, Wally Hammond and Herbert Sutcliffe have scored four tons in a series in Australia.
Meanwhile, the dismissal brought an end to one of the finest knocks by an Indian in overseas Tests. And the reception he got from the fans pretty much summed up how stunning his knock was. Despite Pujara missing a well-deserved milestone by just 7 runs, the fans gave him a reception that he is bound to remember for the rest of his life.
And now Kumar Sangakkara has left an equally special compliment for the India star. The legendary Sri Lankan to Twitter to lavish praise on Pujara, advising others to take a leaf out of Pujara’s books on how to play Test cricket.
“A great lesson to all batsmen in the series and tests in general. @cheteshwar1 showing how trusting your strengths and being unashamedly dogged in technique and concentration brings great rewards,” wrote Sangakkara.
A great lesson to all batsmen in the series and tests in general. @cheteshwar1 showing how trusting your strengths and being unashamedly dogged in technique and concentration brings great rewards.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) January 4, 2019
India, meanwhile, are well set on their way of posting a huge total. The visitors were 418 for 6 when Lyon finally got the better of Pujara.