The new Indian wall Cheteshwar Pujara has been a revelation in the Indian test team for the past 3 years. He is the #7 ranked batsman in the tests and is one of the pillars of Indian batting line up.
He plays at no:3 which is the most difficult position to play in the red ball cricket. For more than 16 years, the no:3 spot was held by the greatest of all time in Rahul Dravid who left a legacy behind him and Pujara is slowly but steadily doing the job that Dravid was doing over the years.
Test championship is more than ODI WC or a T20 WC- Pujara
Test cricket is the oldest format of the game. Test cricket is the toughest format among all the other formats of the game. Although there is no denying the fact that the modern day cricket fans is more interested towards the shortest format of the game, a format that ends within 3 hours time, but test cricket still remains the pinnacle of cricket.
Cheteshwar Pujara who plays only one format of the game and is known as a renowned test specialist has said that winning the test championship is more than the ODI world cup or a T20 world cup.
Here’s what Cheteshwar Pujara had to say about the pinnacle of cricket
If you ask any great cricket player from the past, even the present cricketers, they would say that Test cricket is the most challenging format of this game. And when you become world champion of Test cricket, there is nothing like it.
I would say it is more than winning an ODI or a T20 World Cup. The reason is, this format is the ultimate format
Warmed-up in style
India played a warm-up game against the New Zealand XI as a preparation for the test series starting on February 21st. India batted first on a green top and the whole of top order succumbed to the swing and seam that was on offer for the bowlers but it was that man again Pujara who grinded it out in the middle for his 211 ball 93 runs knock. He was ably supported by the man in form Hanuma Vihari who completed his century before retiring hurt. India posted 263 in their 1st dig.
Indian bowlers showed their class and bowled out the New Zealand XI for 235 runs with all the Indian bowlers getting into the act.
Indian top order showed more maturity with the bat in their 2nd dig with Mayank, Pant, and Prithvi Shaw all getting runs with the bat. In the end India made 252 runs from just 48 overs before the match officials said enough is enough.
Wellington will host the 1st test on February 21st.