‘The way Puji was batting at the other end, it did not look like he would ever get out’

RANCHI: Cheteshwar Pujara may not be the biggest crowdpleaser in an Indian team teeming with stroke-makers, but the 29-year-old proved why he is such a crucial cog in the test side with an epic double century yesterday.

India’s number three batsman painstakingly compiled a marathon knock of 202 spread over more than 11 hours to put his team in a strong position in the third Test against Australia.

Pujara, pictured, became the first Indian batsman to face 500 balls in a test innings, further testimony to his unwavering focus and seemingly infinite patience.

“The way Puji was batting at the other end, it did not look like he would ever get out,” Wriddhiman Saha, Pujara’s ally in a 199-run seventh wicket partnership, told reporters.

“Puji has so much patience. He scores 200-300 in domestic cricket almost routinely. He showed great patience today.”

One of the few India internationals not contracted to any of the franchises in the country’s big-money Twenty20 league, Pujara, however, put a premium on his wicket.

“You have to look at the bigger picture,” the right-hander told Star Sports channel after wearing down the Australian bowlers with his mammoth 525-ball knock.

“When I was batting, I was thinking anyhow we need to get close to that total.

“I was watching the ball really well. I wanted to play more shots but I had to restrict myself because we wanted to build a partnership and I did not want to give my wicket away.”

Pujara’s third double century helped India earn a 152run first innings lead, drawing praise from Australia coach Darren Lehmann. “He’s very disciplined and played really well. That’s why he is a class player.” – Reuters