Ajay Jadeja lavishes praise on Cheteshwar Pujara’s phenomenal Test outing against Bangladesh

The KL Rahul-led team India bundled out Bangladesh for 324 on the final day to clinch the first of the two-match Test series in Chattogram by 188 runs. Arguably the best batter throughout the contest was the deputy of the Indian side, Cheteshwar Pujara, who marked a majestic return to red-ball cricket.

Elated by his performances, former India player, Ajay Jadeja voiced his opinion on the veteran batter’s heroics with the bat in the Test match. Two impressive knocks played by the Test specialist left the former India player mesmerised. 

"Don't forget he had been dropped two Tests back and was out for a series. The selectors had rejected him and the same selectors got him back. This guy has always shown in his career, right from his under-15 days, that struggle is his name,” told Ajay while reviewing the contest on the Sony Sports Network.

"He has had operations on both his knees, it is very difficult after that. This guy kept on doing the difficult tasks and he has so much love for the game that wherever you play him, he doesn't get out. He is not fond of playing shots but of scoring runs,” added Ajay.

He made the best of the opportunity: Ajay Jadeja

Pujara mustered 90 runs and an unbeaten 102 runs in both innings of the contest. This has also interestingly made him India's second-highest run-getter in the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle, with 717 runs. Ajay further analysed the veteran batter’s innings claiming that he made the ‘best of the opportunity’.  

"He made the best of the opportunity. If you analyse his knock, he hit 11 fours when he scored 90 and 13 fours when he scored the hundred. It is not that he increased the number of fours and sixes. The game situation was such that when he was playing, he was getting singles, so not too many dots were added,” told Ajay.

India are still in contention for a spot in the summit clash of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. Following the win against the Bangla Tigers, the side has gone one step ahead and interestingly, Australia’s massive win against South Africa in the first Test at the Gabba has handed the Indian team a major boost to reach the finals.