Harsha Bhogle defends Pujara’s slow-paced innings

Harsha Bhogle may not be in the commentary team anymore, however, that has never stopped him from giving out his opinions. The 53-year old, who has been dubbed as the voice of Indian cricket has come out in defense of Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara following the latter’s lackluster performance with the bat on the second Day of the second Test match between India and the West Indies at Kingston.

Pujara managed to muster just the 46 runs in the 159 deliveries faced and ended up getting himself run out in a rather disappointing manner. Bhogle explained through his official Facebook page that a player like Pujara could be forgiven since he does not play international cricket on a regular basis.

“I think it is important to understand the situation that Cheteshwar Pujara is in before coming down hard on him. Unlike the others, he faces lengthy breaks from top quality cricket because he doesn’t play limited overs cricket. And so, the bowling he faces, the attitudes he encounters, the people he is with…..are all far removed from the standard of international cricket.”

“And so he will take him time to come to grips with playing with the best all over again. He needs to be given time for the other way of looking at his effort is that he is good enough to be batting so many balls and so the runs will come as the confidence returns.

Also read – Cheteshwar Pujara: Rebuilding his path

“If he was getting out in single digits, there was a case for, maybe, playing Vijay and Dhawan as openers and Rahul at no 3. But he is batting long enough and needs backing. I am sure the team management is doing that because if a player feels every innings is his last, he does more damage to himself than a bowler can!”

Here is his Facebook post: