'Never! I can't do that'- Cheteshwar Pujara feels that he can never play the reverse scoop like Rishabh Pant

For the first time since May 2014, Cheteshwar Pujara will once again don the IPL jersey. The Indian Test batting mainstay was bought by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a sum of INR 50 lakhs in the 2021 IPL auction that was held in Chennai. And now, ahead of the 14th edition of the IPL, Pujara has opened up on his favorite shot.

The 33-year-old revealed that the most fearless shot that he has played is the scoop over the fine leg fielder against a fast bowler. The CSK player further added that he has played the shot around 3 or 4 times in the IPL as well, and stated that he had even scored a boundary playing the scoop shot in the 2014 edition of the IPL.

“The scoop over fine leg against a fast bowler (is my most fearless stroke). Even in the IPL, I have done that. At least three or four times. I remember getting a four that way when we played in Dubai (in 2014),” said Pujara in a chat with ESPNCricinfo.

Cheteshwar Pujara showers praise on Rishabh Pant

Cheteshwar Pujara also heaped praise on swashbuckling Indian batsman Rishabh Pant and stated that he can never play the reverse scoop like how Pant plays. Adding that Pant has a unique way of looking at things, Pujara opined that Pant is successful because he is fearless.

“Never! I can’t do that. I can’t do that (smiles). Going over third man (by reverse-scooping) as a right-hander is tough. Going over fine leg, that I have tried. Well, (he has) a unique way of looking at things. He is successful because he is fearless,” added Pujara.

Pujara further stated that Pant is an instinctive player, and he should continue playing the same way. The Gujarat-born cricketer concluded by stating that if Pant can pull off audacious shots, there is nothing wrong with him playing that way.

“And he has to bat the way he knows – by assessing the situation, and if he thinks he can do that, then why not. He can only be successful backing his own strengths. He is very instinctive. And he has to stick to that. Everyone including us in the dressing room was stunned, but that is something unique about him. If he can pull that off, again and again, there is nothing wrong,” concluded the 33-year-old.