‘Dale Steyn, Jimmy Anderson….’: Pujara Names Toughest Bowlers He Faced

Cheteshwar Pujara was rightly hailed as India’s rock, as the right-handed batter took the team out of trouble on numerous occasions. During his illustrious 13-year Test career, Pujara had multiple memorable knocks – including in South Africa, England and Australia – where he tamed some of the best bowlers in world cricket. 

But who were some of the toughest bowlers that he faced during his lifetime? 

“You were talking about international cricket - well, it was Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel at their peak. Facing them in South African conditions was very challenging. Also, Jimmy Anderson in English conditions, when he was at his best, getting a lot of movement in the air and even off the pitch,” Pujara told Cricbuzz. 

“And then someone like Pat Cummins has also been very challenging to face in international cricket. Although I've had decent success against him, he is still one of the most difficult bowlers I've faced,” he added. 

While Pujara has had success everywhere, he remembered the 145 he scored against Sri Lanka in Colombo, where he opened the batting. In that particular clash, Pujara was the biggest difference between the two sides as India came on top by 117 runs to win the series 2-1.

“Well, the innings I remember most fondly was the 145 against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. It was an unbeaten knock, and I was asked to open the innings. It was an important match - the third Test with the series tied one-all - and it was a tough pitch to bat on. I hadn't played the first-two Tests, so I remember that innings very fondly,” he recalled. 

Away from Sri Lanka, Pujara also recalled his 123 against Australia in Adelaide in 2018, which helped India clinch a rare 31-run win and set themselves up to win a Test series Down Under for the first time ever.

“The 123 at Adelaide in 2018 was also very important. It was the first Test of the series, and we won both that Test and the series for the first time on Australian soil. That is also one of my most memorable Test innings.

"Another one would be the 92 against Australia in 2017 in Bengaluru. We had lost the first Test in Pune, and we were in trouble in the second Test. I had a good partnership with Ajinkya Rahane in the second innings, and that knock was crucial,” he added. 

So, what are the toughest conditions that Pujara has played Test cricket in? 

“Well, I haven't played a lot of matches in New Zealand, so I can't say much about it. Yes, New Zealand has been challenging, but overall, I think England has been the toughest - especially when they used to produce those green-top pitches with (James) Anderson and (Stuart) Broad in their bowling lineup. I would say England is one of the toughest places to play when you end up on a seaming track.”