Pujara set to enjoy the fruit of domestic success

[Feed]

Pujara set to enjoy the fruit of domestic success It's a dream come true for the 22-year-old Saurashtra batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. The news of the selection came while Pujara was playing for Indian Oil against Indian Railways in the JP Atray Tournament. More... Pujara set to enjoy the fruit of domestic success Ashutosh Sharma, Hindustan Times Chandigarh, September 21, 2010 It's a dream come true for the 22-year-old Saurashtra batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. The news of the selection came while Pujara was playing for Indian Oil against Indian Railways in the JP Atray Tournament. “My teammate ran up to me and broke the news, but I had no time to celebrate as the match was heading for a tight finish,” he said. Son of former cricketer, Arvind Pujara, the youngster is still to come to terms with the call but said he is ready. “It is a huge opportunity for me. I was hoping for it as I have done well in the domestic circuit. I also did well on the West Indies and England tour. Against West Indies A, I hit a double ton,” he said. Pujara will be replacing Yuvraj Singh, who incidentally was also playing in Patiala for Air India in the same tournament. With India going into the first Test with seven specialist batsmen apart from Pujara, he has a good chance of making it to final XI. Pujara has been scoring heavily in the domestic circuit for quite sometime now but denied that his selection would put added pressure. Young Saurashtra strokemaker Cheteshwar Pujara comes in place of Yuvraj. Pujara, the 22-year old from Rajkot, has been a prolific scorer in the domestic competition and has been waiting in the wings for the last couple of years to get a national call-up. In 49 matches, Pujara has scored 3,925 runs at an average of 60.38 with 14 centuries and 13 half centuries. Pujara first came to the limelight during the 2006 under-19 World Cup where he emerged as the top scorer. Pujara told reporters at Mohali Monday that he was expecting a call. "It is a dream come true for me. I was expecting a call in the Test side. I have done well in recent domestic and international matches," Pujara said. “My aim will be to give my best and do whatever the team requires me to do. Before the Test series, I am also getting a chance to play in the three-day tour game, which will help me in assessing my strengths and weaknesses. A good performance in the game will brighten my chances of making it to the playing XI,” he said. Asked whether he would be under pressure while playing against the Australians, Pujara said, it is a challenge that he is looking forward to. “They may no longer be the number 1 team in the world but they are still a very formidable side. Rather, I am happy that I have a chance to debut against them,” he said, adding, “ I have played well during the tour game against the West Indies and England.” Pujara believed local knowledge of the conditions and crowd support would give India added advantage during the series. An opportunity for Chintu: Father PTI adds from Rajkot: Reacting to Cheteshwar Pujara's selection, his father Arvind Pujara said the opportunity is not only a great chance but also a great challenge to prove himself at international level. “This is a very good chance for Chintu (Cheteshwar) given by the national selection committee and now he has to prove himself at international level against formidable side like Australia,” Arvind Pujara said. “There has always been a very stiff competition for the middle order slot as the country has lot of young and talented batsmen but we all are happy that Chintu has been selected,” he added. “He has been working hard since his childhood and has a dream to play for country now his dream has come true,” said senior Pujara who also played Ranji Trophy matches for Saurashtra and Railways as a wicket keeper. Cheteshwar also holds the record of smashing three triple tons in a span of one month.

[vamos_rafa]

All the best Chintu!!!

[ZodiaC]

Good luck Che, go pwn them! :kkr:

[DomainK]

Wish him all the best. He is in form and hopefully he will capitalize on that.

[Sachinism]

LOL Che not gonna be happy with his dad revealing his nickname Chintu :hehe:

[putrevus]

Srikant has done his best to ruin this guy's career, he should have been selected for South African series when both Dravid and Laxman were injured but no he wanted his tamilnadu guys get first crack both Badrinath and Vijay got to play and looked clueless against quality fast bowling. Now he gets selected when he has no chance to get in playing eleven,unless some one gets injured, hope this guy is not discarded after sitting on bench for couple of matches.

[HowardRoark]

Srikant has done his best to ruin this guy's career, he should have been selected for South African series when both Dravid and Laxman were injured but no he wanted his tamilnadu guys get first crack both Badrinath and Vijay got to play and looked clueless against quality fast bowling. Now he gets selected when he has no chance to get in playing eleven,unless some one gets injured, hope this guy is not discarded after sitting on bench for couple of matches.

Badri and Vijay got selected only because they play for Tamilnadu??? That speaks volumes about your knowledge (or the lack of it) of domestic cricket in India. You don't have to pull someone down to praise someone else. But some guys never change - there is always something to complain about. Badri has waited way way longer than Pujara for his chances and he deserved every little bit of the very few chances he got. I really hope Pujara gets more chances than Badri or else he will end up the way Badri ended. You are a perfect example of arm chair critic who loves to talk blah blah blah with the knowledge of hindsight and with unlimited bias. And please pass on the magic wand you possess so that the selectors can find out who will succeed and who won't in a certain playing condition. Everyone including me and you is very happy about Pujara getting his deserved chance and let's pray for his success. Let's stop it at just that. Don't have to float around negative vibes just for the sake of it.

[putrevus]

Badri and Vijay got selected only because they play for Tamilnadu??? That speaks volumes about your knowledge (or the lack of it) of domestic cricket in India. You don't have to pull someone down to praise someone else. But some guys never change - there is always something to complain about. Badri has waited way way longer than Pujara for his chances and he deserved every little bit of the very few chances he got. I really hope Pujara gets more chances than Badri or else he will end up the way Badri ended. You are a perfect example of arm chair critic who loves to talk blah blah blah with the knowledge of hindsight and with unlimited bias. And please pass on the magic wand you possess so that the selectors can find out who will succeed and who won't in a certain playing condition. Everyone including me and you is very happy about Pujara getting his deserved chance and let's pray for his success. Let's stop it at just that. Don't have to float around negative vibes just for the sake of it.

I am not pulling down Badri nor I am against Badri .I follow domestic cricket starting Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup which starts the cricket season in south.So don't come to conclusions about others. Upside of Pujara compared to Badri is huge as one is 22 years and Badri is 30, Badri has been on fringes for so many years but did not get any call but it is not Pujara's fault.But if Pujara is dropped after riding bench for two tests which is quite possible then we may never know what we missed out. It may be unfair to Badri but giving a break to 22 year old is more important in my book than handing a 30 year old debut.Pujara turns out as advertised India is set for next 10 years at no3 which was not the case for Badri.

[Dravid]

scored heavily in dom got the call up he excite now carry drinks :icflove:

[HowardRoark]

I am not pulling down Badri nor I am against Badri .I follow domestic cricket starting Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup which starts the cricket season in south.So don't come to conclusions about others. Upside of Pujara compared to Badri is huge as one is 22 years and Badri is 30, Badri has been on fringes for so many years but did not get any call but it is not Pujara's fault.But if Pujara is dropped after riding bench for two tests which is quite possible then we may never know what we missed out. It may be unfair to Badri but giving a break to 22 year old is more important in my book than handing a 30 year old debut.Pujara turns out as advertised India is set for next 10 years at no3 which was not the case for Badri.

What a twisted logic sir jee...Glad that Aussie selectors don't think like you...else they would never have been at the top of rankings, let alone staying there for a long time, by choosing 'young talunts' over 'older' players :hatsoff:

[putrevus]

What a twisted logic sir jee...Glad that Aussie selectors don't think like you...else they would never have been at the top of rankings' date=' let alone staying there for a long time, by choosing 'young talunts' over 'older' players :hatsoff:[/quote'] When young and old one give me the same thing who would i choose, it is not like Badrinath is performing way over Pujra. Infact Pujara's avg is more than Badri and has six less hundreds in first class in 50 fewer innings.So why would I want a 30 year old when I can get 22 year who has more upside . Aussies are suffering now due to their logic, why you think they looking to groom young players now.Why you think all our present middle order debuted when they were 22 and 23.

[Feed]

Pujara has the technique and temperament The selection of Cheteshwar Pujara and the axing of Yuvraj Singh are the two talking points about the Indian team to play Australia in the two-Test series next month. To be candid, these twin developments were always on the cards. More... Pujara has the technique and temperament Partab Ramchand, Wednesday, September 22, 2010 Not unexpectedly, the selection of Cheteshwar Pujara and the axing of Yuvraj Singh are the two talking points about the Indian team to play Australia in the two-Test series next month. To be candid, these twin developments were always on the cards. Yuvraj has had a troubled year with form and fitness problems and once he lost his place to Suresh Raina during the series in Sri Lanka last month there was always going to be some doubt about his being picked. Similarly, Pujara has been knocking very loudly at the door of the selection committee courtesy a series of three figure knocks and the right temperament especially for cricket's traditional format. It was only a matter of time before the switch took place. It is another matter that Pujara might not get to play unless there is a fitness problem among the batsmen. The quartet of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Suresh Raina is now well settled following the left hander's dream debut against Sri Lanka and they, of course, follow the established opening pair of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. But, the very fact that he has been selected in the squad is encouragement enough for the 22-year-old Saurashtra right hander, who is certainly deserving of a place. He has got tons of runs in first class cricket, several three figure knocks including a triple hundred in the Ranji Trophy and two more in a week in the CK Nayudu under-22 tournament and an average of 60 and one cannot ignore these figures for too long. It is true that figures are not everything, particularly on the batting beauties at home. But then, Pujara has made runs aplenty – and notched up big scores too - on tours of England and Australia, and clearly has the technique and temperament to succeed at the highest level whenever he gets the chance. Incidentally, Pujara along with Ravindra Jadeja holds the world record for the fifth wicket in first class cricket, the two having put on an unbeaten 520 runs for Saurashtra against Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy season of 2008-09. The very fact that he has been straightaway picked for the Test squad instead of making his way via the ODI team like so many others shows that the selectors hold him in high esteem. Few tears will be shed for Yuvraj. He burst upon the scene in 2000 like a whiff of fresh air and after being labeled a one-day specialist forced his way into the Test squad, whenever one of the regular batsmen was injured. Following the retirement of Sourav Ganguly, he was the front runner to clinch the No 6 slot but couldn't actually cement his place despite ample opportunities. Then there were problems off the field involving charges of indiscipline and lack of fitness. Accused also of having an attitude problem, Yuvraj gained weight and in the process lost his status as one of the outstanding fielders in the game today. That he is still a match winner in limited overs cricket cannot be denied, but perhaps, some time away from the spotlight will do him a world of good. He is too good a cricketer to be languishing on the sidelines for too long and one can already see a new and determined Yuvraj making a comeback into the longer version. But at the moment he could do with a break. The rest of the squad is along expected lines. As usual the Kris Srikkanth led selection committee has covered all bases picking an extra pace bowler, an extra spinner, an extra middle order batsman and an extra opener. But, with the Indian team wearing a well settled look there is very little chance of experimentation or major changes. Now, it only remains to be seen whether the No 1 Test team has enough ammunition to get the better of Australia which has slid to fourth spot.

[ravishingravi]

We ll see. I don't go by these articles. Mithun was supposed to bowl 140.

[achilles]

We ll see. I don't go by these articles. Mithun was supposed to bowl 140.

Right. Mi-thoon :hehe:

[Gunner_Mania]

Srikant has done his best to ruin this guy's career, he should have been selected for South African series when both Dravid and Laxman were injured but no he wanted his tamilnadu guys get first crack both Badrinath and Vijay got to play and looked clueless against quality fast bowling. Now he gets selected when he has no chance to get in playing eleven,unless some one gets injured, hope this guy is not discarded after sitting on bench for couple of matches.

That is complete bias. If you really wanted to pick holes about selection theory and not about South Indian bias, you would have picked the selection of the great Wriddiman Saha over Pujara for that South African series. Murali Vijay picked for Dravid's cover, Badri for Laxman's cover there still was one batting slot open.

[coffee_rules]

Pujara and Raina will play musical chair in the tests. I feel.

[The Dark Horse]

When young and old one give me the same thing who would i choose, it is not like Badrinath is performing way over Pujra. Infact Pujara's avg is more than Badri and has six less hundreds in first class in 50 fewer innings.So why would I want a 30 year old when I can get 22 year who has more upside . Aussies are suffering now due to their logic, why you think they looking to groom young players now.Why you think all our present middle order debuted when they were 22 and 23.

Going by your logic, 7 years of consistent performance < 1 or 2 years of consistent performance. Everyone thought that Badri was a technically correct batsman but he failed(according to the selectors) - the same could happen to Pujara(i hope not). At least I'm happy that Pujara wont end up like Badri, who is considered "too old" to be corrected/tested.

[cowboysfan]

Pujara and Raina will play musical chair in the tests. I feel.

i doubt it.pujara will likely play at 3 or 4.

[saneindian]

That is complete bias. If you really wanted to pick holes about selection theory and not about South Indian bias' date=' you would have picked the selection of the great Wriddiman Saha over Pujara for that South African series. Murali Vijay picked for Dravid's cover, Badri for Laxman's cover there still was one batting slot open.[/quote'] The reserve batsman was Rohit Sharma who twisted his ankle on the morning the 1st test was to start. Saha was picked as a stand bye to Dhoni who had some finger injury just before the SA test series.

[Gunner_Mania]

The reserve batsman was Rohit Sharma who twisted his ankle on the morning the 1st test was to start. Saha was picked as a stand bye to Dhoni who had some finger injury just before the SA test series.

Whoever, the question simply was why suggest that picking Badri & Vijay was Tamilnadu bias when there was an opportunity to pick Pujara over Saha or Rohit Sharma as you say and the selectors didnt. Given that Rohit Sharma was picked and then Saha was drafted in and subsequently Yuvraj & Raina also got opportunities, Pujara was nowhere near first choice during the SA series. So his point about Badri & Vijay being given opportunity because they play for Tamilnadu just reeks of a suggestion without any thought behind it.