From the highs of India's glorious Test win in Perth, the 10-time BGT title champs came crashing down in Adelaide where they were folded in less than two and half days on the back of a thumping 10-wicket defeat. Former Indian Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara commented on India's recent defeat in Adelaide and highlighted key changes that India must make ahead of their crucial third Test.

Pujara offers two possible solutions to India that can help them stay alive in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy (2024-25) series.  First, the 36-year-old stressed that an underperforming Ravi Ashwin must make way for Washington Sundar who had a sizeable impact in the first Test. And second, he insisted the Indian think tank to retain Harshit Rana for the third Test despite his hot-and-cold show in Adelaide. 

See also: WTC qualification scenarios for top four teams teams

So what's on Pujara's mind?

During his conversation with Star Sports, Pujara presents a visual depiction of what India's potential playing eleven may look like at the start of the third Test. He feels only one change may be necessary and R Ashwin can miss out due to his poor show with the bat in Adelaide. But at the same time, he expresses his support for Rana who failed to deliver an all-round impact with the bat and the ball.

“I feel only one change might happen. Since the batting wasn't good, Washington Sundar can come in place of R Ashwin. Should someone come in place of Harshit Rana? In my opinion, no. You backed him and he performed well in the first match.”

The suggestion to pick Sundar over Ashwin seems justified as Ashwin failed to help himself with the bat when his team needed him and only managed to pick up a sole wicket. Whereas on the contrary, Sundar is comparatively a more astute all-rounder and can come in more than handy with the bat in fairly tricky conditions. He showcased his class with the bat and the ball chipping in with a handy 29 in the second innings and picking 2-48 with the ball to hand India one of their biggest Test wins against Australia.

Rana showed a lot of promise with the ball in the first Test and picked up three crucial wickets in the first innings but failed to live up to the expectations when all eyes turned to the pink-ball Test. He proved to be very erratic with his control and leaked a significant chunk of runs while going completely wicketless.

Moreover, Pujara feels that removing a player after one ordinary performance can lead to a negative impact on a player's physiological health. 

As it stands

India's horror show with the bat has led to the undoing in the second Test. In both innings, team India failed to go past the 200-run mark. Moreover, the form of batting stalwarts such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has also been a cause for concern. Apart from their brilliant fightback in Perth which saw them post 487 for the loss of six wickets, India's batting has lacked the edge and the resilience for which it had been so famously renowned for. 

With the series level at 1-1, India needs a win in Brisbane to keep their WTC aspirations alive. At present, the management is currently confronted with challenging choices concerning the selection of the playing eleven.

In the ecosystem of intense cricket rivals, the India vs Australia clash, a.k.a, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has always aroused a sense of anticipation for a fierce game amongst many cricket fanatics. Hailed as one of the best vs. best series, the tournament has provided some wholesome cricketing action and moments meant to be remembered for the coming ages of the sport.

One such aspect would be the batters who did the trick with their willows and struck memorable batting performances, making it a treat to the eye. That said, amongst many from the list, here's a list of the top five batting innings from the Indian roster that has defined a whole of what a Border-Gavaskar Trophy matchup looks like. 

Rahul Dravid: 233 runs off 446 balls in Adelaide 2003-04

Rahul Dravid played an essential part in India's victory in the Adelaide test during the 2003/04 tour. Australia scored 556 runs, with Ricky Ponting contributing 242. In response, India was reduced to 85/4, and VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid came together. The two struck a massive 303-run stand for the fifth wicket to get India back into the game. Rahul Dravid scored 223 runs off 446 balls, while Laxman contributed 148. Dravid smashed 22 fours and one six in his knock, helping India score 523 runs. Australia responded 196 to Ajit Agarkar's 6/41, giving India just 230 runs to win. After Virender Sehwag had a terrific start, Dravid stepped in again. Dravid spearheaded the chase with 72*, helping India to scalp a convincing victory by four wickets.

Virat Kohli: 116 runs off 213 balls in Adelaide 2011-12

Virat Kohli produced a fantastic innings of 116 runs off 213 deliveries at the Adelaide Oval in January 2012 during India's fourth and final Test tour of Australia. In the first innings, a young Virat showed talent, commitment, and poise against a formidable Australian bowling attack. He played with a good attitude, counterattacking when appropriate and defending well when needed. Kohli's century in Adelaide was his first Test century, and it was noteworthy, as he demonstrated excellent shot selection, timing, and footwork, allowing him to collect runs easily. Although India eventually lost the match, the youngster's innings made an indelible impact and laid the groundwork for his future success.

Cheteshwar Pujara: 193 runs off 373 balls in Sydney 2018-19

India had a 2-1 lead going into this match and was confident of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the end of the series. Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been immaculate throughout the series, is determined to put on a show for the last time to assist India achieve its goal. Pujara demonstrated his typical calm, discipline, and resistance when dealing with the dangerous Australian onslaught. However, he used every opportunity to knock the poor deliveries away, scoring 22 boundaries in his innings of 193 runs off 373 deliveries. As Pujara continued to pile up the runs, Australia's last-ditch bid to escape a series triumph faded. The batter appeared unstoppable at times, and his psychological drain on the opposition's bowling assault may have played a vital role in India's historic series triumph.

Also Read: Top 5 Memorable Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches played in Australia

 Virat Kohli: 169 runs off 272 balls in Melbourne 2014-15

In December 2014, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Virat Kohli produced one of his best Test innings against Australia. On the first day of the Boxing Day Test, Kohli showed incredible determination and perseverance. He scored an impressive 169 runs off 272 deliveries, including 30 boundaries. His performance was critical in stabilising the Indian innings and laying a firm foundation for the squad. This innings demonstrated Kohli's ability to thrive under challenging conditions and against top-tier competition. Notably, Kohli's effort at the MCG in 2014 helped India take a significant first-innings lead, but the team could not win the match.

Rishabh Pant: 89* runs off 138 balls in Brisbane 2020-21

The victory in the Brisbane Test (Gabba) Test in 2021 is widely regarded as one of the most defining moments in Indian cricket history, thanks to Rishabh Pant's unbeaten match-winning knock of 89 runs off 138 deliveries, anchoring India's successful chase of 328 runs, the highest-ever target chased at the Gabba. In addition, against all odds, the Indian cricket team won a surprising series triumph over Australia at the tough 'Fortress Gabba,' a location where Australia had not lost a Test since 1988. Pant, who finished fifth, demonstrated maturity and control. Pant, known for his aggressive and reckless batting style, was unconcerned about the occasion's scenario or pressure. 

India vs. Australia has been one of the most exciting rivalries in cricket history, delivering unforgettable matches since their first encounter in 1947-48. The contrasting playing conditions in the two countries add a layer of intrigue, making every series unique. Over the decades, many Indian batters have risen to the challenge, dominating Australian bowlers at home and away.

Here’s a look at the top five Indian batters who have scored the most runs against Australia in Test cricket.

5. Virat Kohli – 2042 Runs

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has an outstanding record against Australia across formats. In Test cricket, he ranks fifth among Indians with the most runs against the Aussies.

In 25 matches, Kohli has amassed 2042 runs at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries (the second-most by an Indian vs. Australia) and five half-centuries. His highest score of 186 reflects his dominance with the bat. Kohli's leadership was historic; under him, India secured their first-ever Test series victory in Australia in 2018-19.

4. Cheteshwar Pujara – 2074 Runs

Known for his grit and resilience, Cheteshwar Pujara has been a thorn in Australia’s side. Between 2010 and 2023, Pujara played 25 Tests against them, scoring 2074 runs at an average of 49.38.

Pujara was instrumental in India’s victories in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series, emerging as the highest scorer in 2016-17 and 2018-19, and the second-highest in 2020-21. His tally includes five centuries and 11 half-centuries, proving his consistency across challenging conditions.

3. Rahul Dravid – 2143 Runs

Rahul Dravid, often referred to as The Wall, was a dependable batter for India in tough situations. Against Australia, he played 32 Tests between 1996 and 2012, scoring 2143 runs at an average of 39.68.

Dravid's contributions included two centuries and 13 half-centuries. His memorable 233 at Adelaide in 2003, and his partnership with VVS Laxman at Eden Gardens in 2001, underline his significance in India’s Test cricket history.

2. VVS Laxman – 2434 Runs

VVS Laxman had a special connection with playing against Australia, producing some of his career-best performances. He scored 2434 runs in 29 Tests between 1998 and 2012 at an impressive average of 49.67.

His innings of 281 at Eden Gardens in 2001 remains one of the greatest Test knocks of all time, helping India achieve a famous comeback win. Laxman’s six centuries and 12 half-centuries against Australia further highlight his ability to perform under pressure.

See Also: Watch: Travis Head looks set to bring back WC 2023 nightmare

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 3630 Runs

The Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar tops the list with 3630 runs against Australia, the most by any Indian and second-most overall in Test cricket. Tendulkar played 39 Tests against Australia from 1991 to 2013, averaging 55 with 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries.

His innings of 241 not out in Sydney in 2004 showcased his mastery over the Australian bowlers. Tendulkar’s consistency and ability to rise to the occasion made him the Aussies’ biggest challenge for over two decades.

The India-Australia rivalry in Test cricket is more than just a contest—it’s a battle of grit, skill, and legacy. These five batters have left an indelible mark on this storied competition, inspiring generations of cricketers and fans alike.

Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara smashed his 25th Ranji Trophy century in the second round for Saurashtra against Chattisgarh in Rajkot. Batting on Monday, Pujara reached his ton in 197 balls as Saurashtra pursued Chattisgarh’s 578/7d first-innings total as well. However, Pujara scored his 66th First-Class century, surpassing Brian Lara’s tally in the format as well.

Cheteshwar Pujara recently found himself at the center of an IPL-related whirlwind after his cryptic post related Supperkings. A simple social media move by the seasoned cricketer led to a flood of speculations among the hopeful Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans.

Recent Events Leading to Confusion

On April 14, Pujara took to social media to make an announcement that left many thinking he would be joining the IPL fray this season with CSK, potentially replacing players like Devon Conway or Ajinkya Rahane. This speculation was fueled further by the ambiguous nature of his post.

See Also: Watch: MS Dhoni spotted limping after MI clash, coach provides injury update

The Social Media Tease

The post that started it all was a simple, yet cryptically worded message from Pujara, hinting at spending the season with “SupperKings.” This play on words was enough to send the rumor mill into overdrive.

Fan Reactions and Speculations

CSK fans, always eager for strong additions to their squad, began theorizing how Pujara could fit into the team’s dynamics, especially given his reputation in Test cricket. The excitement was palpable, with discussions spanning from social media platforms to fan forums.

The Real Story Behind Pujara’s Post

However, the entire episode turned out to be a misunderstanding. Reports clarified that Pujara’s joining CSK was merely a hoax and his actual involvement was unrelated to any IPL team changes.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar_pujara)

His Role in Zomato’s New Campaign

The subsequent post from Pujara cleared the air, revealing his involvement in a new advertising campaign for Zomato, alongside celebrities like actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu and actor Ranveer Singh. The playful caption, “No one was harmed in this collab! We cool,” put to rest any further speculations.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zomato (@zomato)

Cheteshwar Pujara, a name synonymous with resilience in Test cricket, is no stranger to the limelight. Although primarily known for his stoic presence in the longest format of the game, Pujara’s recent activity off the field caused quite the stir among the vibrant IPL community.

CSK’s Current Season Performance

Meanwhile, CSK continues to perform well in the IPL 2024, securing another victory against Mumbai Indians and maintaining a strong position in the league standings. With this, they are now currently 3rd in the IPL points table with 8 points in six matches.

Cheteshwar Pujara‘s social media post set off a frenzy among Chennai Super Kings (CSK) supporters just hours before their highly anticipated IPL 2024 match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. The post quickly went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), sparking speculation among fans about his potential return to the franchise after three years.

Cheteshwar Pujara shares on X

As CSK gears up for their fifth match of the season against the five-time champions Mumbai Indians, the excitement among fans is palpable. While Mumbai Indians have a strong record at home, winning their last two matches after a series of initial losses, Chennai Super Kings are yet to secure a victory away from their home ground, having lost both their previous matches outside Chepauk.

In the history of T20 cricket, CSK has a 17-21 head-to-head record against their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians. At Wankhede Stadium, CSK has a win-loss record of 4-7 against Mumbai. Although CSK lost two of their last three matches at the venue, they emerged victorious in the 2023 encounter.

Pujara’s tweet before the crucial clash ignited speculation among fans about his potential return to CSK after last playing for the franchise in 2021. While some fans eagerly welcomed the star Indian batter back to the team, others expressed concern about CSK’s strategy. Interestingly, some fans noted a subtle twist in Pujara’s tweet – it featured “#SupperKings” instead of “Super Kings,” suggesting a possible promotional activity within the CSK camp or a different venture altogether.

See Also: IPL 2024: Shikhar Dhawan is out from PBKS for 7 days; Here is why!

Pujara’s tweet sparks buzz among CSK fans

Pujara, who has played for four different IPL franchises, has scored 390 runs in 30 matches, with a single half-century to his name. However, his last IPL appearance was in 2014 for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Although he was part of CSK in 2021, Pujara did not feature in the starting XI during that season.

The selection for the West Indies tour prior to the Duleep Trophy left a lot wondering on the direction of the Indian Team. They left out some big stars coming into the tour with Cheteshwar Pujara and Suryakumar Yadav dropped while Sarfaraz Khan, who has been churning the big score endlessly and Abhimanyu Easwaran, another domestic superstar has missed out.

Both Sarfaraz and Easwaran have not found too many takers with the Indian Team while India finally may be moving on from Pujara, who has been a fixture in the line-up at number three for the last 13 years. Suryakumar Yadav though may not have things as easy. He got a chance to play one Test, did not do much or get much of an opportunity to make a mark, and was left out later. Now, with Rahane back as vice-captain, the road back for Suryakumar looks a lot longer.

The Duleep Trophy though gave the four batters an opportunity to push a claim for themselves. Abhimanyu though could not make a mark with 11 runs across two innings as he was undone by some good bowling. Sarfaraz too after scoring loads of runs again proved vulnerable against quality bowing in the Duleep Trophy, He fell without scoring much to the short ball and will also be waiting for a chance to stake another claim.

Pujara, recently dropped from the Test squad again, decided to challenge himself in the Duleep Trophy. He found some runs getting back to the grind and making a second innings century, and will have an opportunity to continue to score runs as he goes back to England to continue his County commitments with Sussex.

Suryakumar Yadav, dropped after one Test and a lot of time around the squad once again proved to be a sticky candidate for hte long game. He was out nicking to slips for a low score and it will be interesting to see what the immediate future holds for him too.

The last eighteen months were pretty tough for Ajinkya Rahane. He lost his spot on the Indian Team after a poor year and was finally left out after the South African Tour in early 2022. The loss of spot resulted in Ajinkya Rahane heading back to the grassroots level. He played a season of Domestic Cricket, did well, but not enough to lighten up the tournament. In his place, Shreyas Iyer, who walked into his middle-order spot looked very good against spin and was playing some intentful Cricket.

A strong start to his career put the brakes on Ajinkya Rahane’s comeback discussion as Rahane was left forgotten. He did still have a considerably good season in Ranji Trophy with more than 600 runs, and came back into the spotlight via the IPL, where Ajinkya Rahane looked high on confidence, batting with some incredible intent. While IPL performances should not warrant a spot on the Test side, Ajinkya Rahane did enough to make his Ranji performances and experience speak.

Weeks ago, the World Test Championship Final looked like a far and long-gone dream. Now, Ajinkya Rahane stands in UK waiting for the Test to begin, along with Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, a trio who have carried the Test batting line-up for a decade. He is not the only one to have made an exceptional return to the Indian ranks though.

Cheteshwar Pujara too was dropped after the South Africa series in 2022 with 95 Test Capst to his name. At that stage, it looked highly unlikely for him to add to his tally as well. Pujara though got back into his groove as he went to England to play some County Cricket in 2022. During the County season he became an integral part of the Sussex line-up, scoring runs for fun as he transformed his game as well, batting with a lot more intent. With runs in England, Pujara made it back into the Indian Team and has earnt his spot back as a reliable member of the side.

With Pujara and Rahane back, India has their old warhorses together once more. The same pair was the only pair of Cricketers to last through all four Tests against Australia in the famous 2020-2021 Test series. The Duo, along with Virat Kohli have seen it all as they grew together during a two-year-long overseas touring marathon from 2013-2015, and now it is upon the trio once more to see them through the Finals as India look to end their ICC Trophy drought.

The moment coming up is pretty big. The trio though, very different in personality, will be unfazed. They have gone up against the Australians many times together and will be eager to get going against Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, continuing yet another famous battle.

Rohit Sharma’s expression said it all when Cheteshwar Pujara was batting with the tail. Mid-off was up, but Cheteshwar Pujara continued to block Nathan Lyon, who had claimed most of the Indian batting line-up by then with some expert bowling on a track with a lot of spin. At 144-7 India were struggling to put up a total. They conceded a considerable lead in the first innings and collapsed in the second as well.

In the second innings though, Cheteshwar Pujara was putting up a masterclass on how to bat on a spin friendly track. In his own traditional method, he was blocking Nathan Lyon out ball after ball as he has done on countless occasions over the last decade. However, with Wickets falling at the other end, Pujara needed to go harder, and he did, taking Nathan Lyon on in a manner he normally wouldn’t against Lyon.

Through their careers, Nathan Lyon and Cheteshwar Pujara had some of the fiercest battles. No batter managed to play Lyon in Australia as well as Pujara has, while Lyon, from his side has managed to strangle Pujara in his own ways when he came to India. 21 encounters, 13 dismissals and an average of 62 shows that Nathan Lyon has managed to get Pujara, but only after Cheteshwar Pujara blocked the life out of him.

Their battle began back in 2013, when Australia toured India, and peaked in 2017, when Pujara emerged as India’s best batter in the series. In 2018-2019 he went on to dominate Lyon as Lyon was left asking if Pujara was bored of batting. In 2020-2021, Lyon did get the better of Pujara as Pujara struggled to score runs, but only after facing a considerable number of deliveries.

The current series and a potential WTC Final though could be the last time the pair take each other on in what has been a fierce decade long battle. It’s been a different one this series though. Throughout the series, Pujara has been intent on scoring runs at a quicker pace, as he has been after his comeback to the Indian Team. He was out sweeping in the first Test, and in the second Test, Pujara did not hesitate to step down hit the ball over mid-on.

Unlike before, where Pujara would block bowlers out, Cheteshwar Pujara has been a lot more busy, particularly against Nathan Lyon. Stepping out, rotating strike and using the flick has become a new style when compared to Pujara’s old approach where he’d pad Nathan Lyon’s deliveries outside off. He continued to play percentage Cricket, which is something he does so well, but this time with a little more urgency, walking on a thin line against a raging Nathan Lyon, who was finding some incredible purchase and was in rhythm.

His control percentage against Nathan Lyon was high as normal, despite Nathan Lyon getting the better of the Indian batting line-up. As always, Nathan Lyon went for the traditional leg side strangle, bowling with a leg-side dominant field. With Cheteshwar Pujara stepping up, he added even more protection on the leg-side as the innings progressed. Lyon continued to build pressure, but Pujara continued to soak it in an release pressure with occasional breakaways shots.

As he did in Adelaide five years ago, Pujara started patiently, watched partners come and go, and batted with the tail. In Adelaide though, Pujara managed to score at a really quick rate after a slow start. Here, he faced 80 odd for his first 40 and then went on a stretch of 51 balls only scoring nine runs. Wickets kept going and the pressure of setting a target was building. Nathan Lyon though gave up on looking for the outside edge and threw it all on the leg-side trap.

To his fortune, and Pujara’s misfortune. Cheteshwar Pujara’s attack after 50 didn’t last long. A stunner at leg-slip saw the back of him ending another fierce battle between Lyon and Pujara. The pair have faced each other in a total of 1265 deliveries with Pujara making 561 runs and Lyon claiming him 13 times. In the period between their careers, no batter-bowler pair has faced each other as many times. Likewise, no batter has scored as many runs against one bowler as Pujara did against Lyon and barring Stuart Broad and David Warner, no bowler managed to dismiss a batter as many times in the last decade.

With both of them approaching the latter stages of the career, we could well be seeing their last set of battles. The next Border Gavaskar Trophy is in 2024 and the pair will be 37 by then. With both of them playing only one format they could still be around, but form and selection may have a say. For now though, they have a couple more battles to go, and fans can only hope the upcoming battle are as good as the Indore one, which had both players fight out in a battle of patience.

The delivery from Nathan Lyon stayed on the surface, turned sharply back toward Pujara, stayed a little low, and didn’t give him time to adjust. As India lost their top three for the lowest score of the series (36), he had his stumps shaken.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s third Test match between India and Australia in Indore was by far the most exciting and unexpected start yet. In the first over of the Test, Mitchell Starc hit Rohit Sharma twice, but on-field umpire Nitin Menon gave the India captain a not out, and Australia did not review either time. But the India captain didn’t last long as he tried to hit Matthew Kuhnemann out of the park in the sixth over and got stumped.

Shubman Gill, Rohit’s opening partner and KL Rahul’s replacement for this Test, got off to a great start against the seamers, but Kuhnemann bowled him out in his next over.

The Indore pitch made it abundantly clear that the batters would not have it easy, as evidenced by the fact that the ball turned both times. Australia was playing three finger-spinners, just like Delhi, and there was a lot of bounce and sharp turn.

Therefore, India’s No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara’s attempt to play an offside punch through against the turn was doubly surprising.

It was the ninth over’s second ball. It was pitched short and outside off the stump by Nathan Lyon. No one would have questioned Pujara’s quick rocking back to square cut delivery through the opposite side on any other surface. However, this Indore pitch was unique. In the initial hour, it was providing the most turn, 4.8 degrees. There was at least a couple of degrees less on the other two tests in the series.

The ball caught on to the surface, turned sharply back toward Pujara, stayed a little low, and didn’t give him time to adjust. As India lost their top three for the lowest score of the series (36), he had his stumps shaken.

When Pujara returned to the hut for 1, the expression on captain Rohit Sharma’s face said it all.

Ravindra Jadeja, the man in form with both the bat and the ball, hit another short one straight to the cover fielder, giving Lyon yet another wicket.

Shreyas Iyer, one of the best spinners, returned a ball to Kuhnemann’s stumps for a duck, giving Kuhnemann yet another breakthrough as India lost half their team for 44.