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'Pujara was one of the few Indian batsmen who looked like he belonged'
Last updated on: March 7, 2013 16:41 IST

Chintu -- as Cheteshwar is affectionately called by family and friends -- has scored two double centuries in his first 11 Tests, in addition to innings of 159 and 135.

With his immense potential and insatiable appetite for runs, he has understandably raised expectations of a cricket-crazy nation.

At the same time, concerns are being expressed by some people if he could thwart his promise and end up like Kambli.

Having followed Chintu's cricket since he learned to hold the bat and known him from close quarters, I can say with certainty that he is unlikely to go the Kambli way.

Cricket-wise, he is a far batter batsman than Kambli ever was.

He is technically very sound and mentally very tough, qualities both Rowe and Kambli lacked.

While Kambli was vulnerable against hostile fast bowling on green tops, Pujara relishes batting against any attack anywhere in the world.

In the two Tests he played in South Africa in 2010-2011, though he did not score too many runs, the way he handled Dale Steyn and the other fast bowlers was much appreciated.

"Pujara was very impressive on that tour," says the legendary Gundappa Viswanath. "He was one of the few Indian batsmen who looked like he belonged."

 

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Pujara remains the same humble, god-fearing soul I have known
Last updated on: March 7, 2013 16:41 IST

Chintu Pujara is a cool and composed customer even after a stirring performance. While Kambli seemed to become a different person after those two double hundreds, the 25-year-old from my native Rajkot remains the same humble, god-fearing soul I have known a long time.

He scored an unbeaten 206 in the first Test against England in Ahmedabad and played an even better innings of 135 in adversity on a treacherous Wankhede stadium wicket in the next Test at Mumbai.

His innings of 204 against Australia in Hyderabad came on the heels of his marriage on February 13. His wife Puja was in the VIP stand, applauding and cheering Chintu's every shot.

 

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'Adversity brings the best out of him'
Last updated on: March 7, 2013 16:41 IST

In his maiden Test against Australia at Bangalore in October 2010, Chintu helped India chase 207 with a very attractive and responsible 72 off just 89 balls, after his team had lost Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay.

There was no trace of nervousness; what was evident was tremendous self-confidence as he guided India to a famous win, batting first with Vijay and then with the maestro Tendulkar.

"I've played a lot of cricket with Chintu, but I've never seen him nervous even in difficult situations," says veteran Saurashtra batsman Sitanshu Kotak.

"In fact, adversity brings the best out of him."

"Even if his team is in trouble," says Kotak, "Chintu never curbs his natural game. If the ball is loose and deserves punishment, he will definitely go for his shots. He is so sure of his defence, attack and, more important, his off-stump."

 

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'Batting is a sadhna for him'
Last updated on: March 7, 2013 16:41 IST

For one so young, Chintu Pujara is steeped in tradition.

If cricket is a religion for him, batting is worship for him. He is extremely religious and despite his schedule, never forgets to perform his puja and say his prayers.

All this, plus regular meditation, helps Chintu in his concentration on and off the field.

Off the field, I know he does not like partying or indulging in activities youngsters his age are usually prone to.

"Cricket, more specifically batting, is a sadhna for Chintu," says his uncle, Bipin Pujara, a former Ranji Trophy player. "I can tell you he will never do anything that may distract him and lead to his ruin. No, he isn't that sort of a boy."

"I know he doesn't like to go to noisy parties. When he was with the Kolkata Knight Riders, it was compulsory for all members of the team to attend parties, but Chintu asked the team management to excuse him, and I know his request was granted."

Chintu won't rest on his initial laurels and will surely conquer the cricketing world in style with his wand-like willow.

 

[M.J.Sadiq]

Wade says ready to do a Hussey to help Oz turn tide against India

Wicket keeper Mathew Wade has claimed he is ready to fill in the vacant number six batting slot in the Australian Test team left emptied by veteran Michael Hussey's retirement, adding the team needs to find a way to turn the tide against India following two crushing defeats in the ongoing Test series.

Australia trail 2-0 and Wade claims Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men would have their tails up after scoring massive wins over the tourists in the first two Tests, News.com.au reports.

Wade said they have got to find a way to try to swing the momentum, adding it can turn in one session.

Wade added India probably turned it in a couple of sessions that Dhoni came out in the first Test (and scored 224) and they've probably run with that momentum now, adding they need someone to step up with ball or bat to try to pull the momentum back our way.

The glove man knows he will never be Michael Hussey, but gutsy Wade believes he can be a successful long-term investment in the No.6 slot vacated by Mr Cricket's retirement.

The 25-year-old has come under fire for some missed catches and stumpings, but is adamant operating as a specialist batsman is not impacting on his glove work.

Wade said he feels comfortable batting at six, adding it all comes down to team balance, and if they play another specialist batsman, then he would go to seven, but admitted he feels completely fresh when he go out and bat at six, as he does when he bats at seven.

Based on his numbers, it is hard to dispute Wade's stance. In six innings in Mr Cricket's slot, Wade has 202 runs at 40.40, including an unbeaten 102 against Sri Lanka in January. Overall he averages 37.56 from 11 Tests and boasts two centuries, as many as all rounder Shane Watson, who has played 40 Test s.

 

[M.J.Sadiq]

We will give tough fight in last two Tests: Clarke

Trailing by 0-2, Clarke warned India of a possible turnaround in the last two matches in Mohali (Mar 14-18) and Delhi (Mar 22-26).

“It is not in our nature to give up without a fight. We have every chance of making a comeback and levelling the series 2-2. We feel if we win one we can win two,” an optimistic Clarke said about his team’s chances.

“We have to win the next two Tests to level the series and that is our main focus. But obviously it is going to be tough as India are playing really good cricket at the moment.”

After losing the opening Test in Chennai by eight wickets, the visitors slumped to another morale-crushing defeat when India humiliated them by an innings and 35 runs in the second Test in Hyderabad.

And the Australian skipper was modest in admitting that India were by far the better side on display in the opening two Tests.

“No excuses for the defeats. We were outplayed in all facets of the game -- batting, bowling and fielding. The credit must go to India. But we need to improve as team,” Clarke said during a function announcing Spartan Sports Goods’ association with capital’s Hyatt Regency hotel.

“We have learnt from our mistakes in the first two games, and I feel we still have plenty of time to correct our flaws before the next game,” he insisted.

Clarke admitted that the touring Australia squad lacks experience when it comes to playing in tough Indian conditions.

“Only four players of the current team have experience of playing Test matches in India,” he said.

“The conditions are tough and demanding in India. The culture, food, pitches, weather everything is different, but I guess that is the beauty of cricket.

“It is lot easier to play in your own backyard but that’s what international cricket is all about,” Clarke added.

Clarke refused to poke his nose into Virender Sehwag’s axing from the Indian squad for the remaining Tests, but said the veteran opener has a lot of cricket still left in him to make a comeback into the national side.

“To be honest, I am not too much focussed on the Indian team. That’s up to the Indian selectors and the team management,” he said when asked about Sehwag.

“Virender has been a fantastic player for India in all three formats of the game. And I am confident, that he will be back.”

 

[M.J.Sadiq]

Five changes Australia could make for the Mohali Test

The performance of the Australian cricket team in the Border-Gavaskar trophy so far has been an ugly blot on the tradition of Australian cricket. Not that the Australians have never lost two consecutive Test matches in a series, but the meek surrender that has been witnessed in the Test matches at Chennai and Hyderabad has been appalling.

However, with two Tests still to be played in the series, the Aussies would be looking for a change of fortune. The Aussies have made a few tactical errors in the previous matches and it has cost them dearly. Here is a list of five things that the Aussies could do to come back to winning ways.

Axe Phillip Hughes

Phillip Hughes’ form, with scores of 19 and 0 in the 1st Test and 6 and 0 in the 2nd Test, has been a concern for the Aussies. With Usman Khawaja waiting in the wings this would perhaps be a good time to include him in the playing eleven in place of the terribly out of form Hughes. Hughes has had his share of opportunities and has failed to capitalize on them. Considering the way he has handled Indian spinners in the series so far, it could be a wise choice to go with young Khawaja and see if he can do any better.

Clarke should bat at No. 4

Michael Clarke is Australia’s most experienced batsman in the squad. After the defeat at Hyderabad, Clarke himself suggested that he may be left with no option but to promote himself in the batting order. Undoubtedly, Michael Clarke is currently Australia’s best batsmen against spin and his promotion in the batting order may bring much needed stability to the batting line up.

Australia should back their pacers

Australian spinners, barring Shane Warne to a certain extent, have never been able to trouble the Indian batsmen on sub-continental pitches. Hence it may be a wise option for Australia to back their strength and play their top fast bowlers at the expense of ordinary spinners like Doherty and Maxwell. The pace trio of Pattinson, Starc and Johnson could prove to be a handful on the Mohali pitch which traditionally assists fast bowlers.

Show confidence in Lyon

Nathan Lyon is the only quality spinner in the Australian squad. It was preposterous to drop the 25-year-old from the 2nd Test. Granted he went for runs in the only Test he played in the series but he also picked up a few important wickets. The confidence he would have got by dismissing Kohli, Tendulkar and Sehwag in the first Test could have proved handy in the second Test.

Sort out their opening combination

The openers set the tone to an innings and a good opening stand is always desirable. It may be a good choice for Australia to open with Warner and Watson and it may be even better to ask them to play their natural game and take the attack to the opposition. Watson is a good player of fast bowling and his elevation may help him settle down before the Indian spinners come on to bowl.

 

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Watson leaves for home after being dropped
March 11, 2013 17:35 IST

Australia's [ Images ] tour of India [ Images ] took an extraordinary turn on Monday with their miffed vice-captain Shane Watson [ Images ] leaving for home hours after being dropped from the team for the third Test against India along with three other key players for ignoring a team management order.

On a day of dramatic developments, Watson checked out of the team hotel, while the rest of the squad trained, and left for Sydney [ Images ], raising speculation of a revolt within the team following the unprecedented dropping of the four players.

- Aus axe Watson, 3 others for disobeying team orders

- Are struggling Aussies going the Windies way?

The team management had earlier announced that Watson, pacemen James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson [ Images ] and batsman Usman Khwaja were dropped for failing to make a presentation on how to improve their personal as well as the team's performance after the heavy defeat in the second Test in Hyderabad.

Australia’s team management sought to downplay Watson's unscheduled departure for Sydney.

"He has not left in a huff; his wife is expecting and that is why he has left for Australia, to be by her side.

“The two things (returning to Australia and being dropped from the team) should not be linked," Australia’s team's media manager Matt Cenin said.

The team management had earlier not made any announcement that Watson would not be available for the entire series keeping in mind his wife's pregnancy.

Watson's sudden departure has also raised speculation about his relationship with captain Michael Clarke [ Images ] amid indication that the skipper was not happy with the attitude of his deputy.

 

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Former cricketers react sharply to suspension of Aus players
Last updated on: March 11, 2013 19:30 IST

Former cricketers such as Dean Jones and Michael Vaughan on Monday reacted sharply to the exclusion of four Australian cricketers, which includes vice-captain Shane Watson, from the side for the third Test against India starting Thursday.

-Aus axe Watson, 3 others for disobeying team orders

-Watson leaves for home after being dropped

Watson along with pacers James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and batsman Usman Khawaja were dropped from the squad for "breaching protocol", according to the team management.

Jones treaded a cautious path while reacting to the news but the likes of Damien Fleming and Micheal Vaughan didn't stop short at taking a dig at the team management's decision.

"On a positive note Ed Cowan's presentation has just been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize!" was Fleming's sarcastic comment, on his twitter page, @bowlologist.

 

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Mushfiqur scores Bangladesh's first 200
March 11, 2013 16:00 IST

Bangladesh recorded their highest Test total and captain Mushfiqur Rahim became their first batsman to score a double century in this format on day four of their first Test against Sri Lanka [ Images ] on Monday.

Resuming on 438 for four, Bangladesh were all out for 638 at the stroke of tea, a 68-run lead over Sri Lanka who had declared their first innings 570 for four on a Galle pitch where bat dominated the ball right from the start.

Mushfiqur, two runs away from the milestone at lunch, picked two singles after resumption and celebrated his double hundred by punching the air and kissing the turf.

The diminutive batsman, however, could not add to the score and was trapped lbw by Nuwan Kulasekera in the next delivery he faced.

Mushfiqur's gritty 321-ball knock included 22 fours and a six during his 438-minute stay at the wicket.

After Mohammad Ashraful [ Images ] (190) departed adding just one run to his overnight score, Nasir Hossain (100) joined the run-feast and became the sixth centurion in the match completing his maiden Test hundred off 147 balls with nine fours.

He and Mushfiqur added 106 runs for the sixth wicket before Tillakaratne Dilshan [ Images ] removed Nasir but Bangladesh had taken the first innings lead in the Test which is heading for a draw.

This is Bangladesh's highest Test total, eclipsing the 556 runs they had scored against the West Indies [ Images ] in the first innings of the Mirpur Test in November last year.