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I Would Want Cheteshwar Pujara To Score At A Strike-Rate That Is More Beneficial To The Team – Brian Lara

Brian Lara
Brian Lara

Throughout his career, Cheteshwar Pujara has been surrounded by the talks of his strike rate. That issue has become pronounced since 2018 as he has gotten even slower in the past four years.

Until 2018, he batted at a strike rate of 48.13; that rate has dipped to 37.54 since 2018. While he has been a key contributor to India’s twin Test series triumphs in Australia, it is believed that his snail’s approach adds pressure on his batting partner.

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara is of a similar opinion about Cheteshwar Pujara. Lara stated that Pujara has the steel to be patient for a long time in the middle, and isn’t much bothered about his own strike rate. However, the batting legend added, that lack of quick runs gives the bowlers plenty of time to remain in the contest.

Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara. Credits: Twitter

Lara, acknowledging that Pujara does the job often though, asserted that the coach should ask India’s No. 3 to bat at a rate that is beneficial for both, himself and the team.

Speaking on ‘Follow The Blues’ exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar, Lara said, “Pujara, definitely for me, I mean as a batsman, I am not the same as a player, that ability to be so patient and score at such a low strike rate.

“So, for me, if I was a coach or if I was someone that wanted Pujara to improve, I would try to create a lot more shots and try to score a strike rate that is more beneficial to him and the team.”

“He does the job, and I know the job he does, but I just feel that when you bat that slowly, there are a lot of momentum swings in your innings and you allow the bowlers so many deliveries at yourself, even before you get to three figures that you are going to find yourself coming up short a lot of times,” the West Indian added.

Cheteshwar Pujara, Test, India
Cheteshwar Pujara (Image Credit: Getty)

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara had been dismissed for another low score in the third Test at Headingley. James Anderson knocked off the right-hander for the score of 1, after the pacer had got rid of the centurion of the second Test, KL Rahul. At the time of writing, India have been pinned at 4/2 at the end of the 5th over.

Also Read: Having Rohit Sharma As Opening Partner Has Been A Lot Of Help For KL Rahul During Ongoing England Tour, Feels Vinay Kumar

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