IND vs AUS: Revisiting Cheteshwar Pujara’s Masterclass and Grit in the Last Two Tours Down Under

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The highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is just a day away from getting underway and the excitement among fans is palpable. However, this time, one of India’s most iconic Test batters, Cheteshwar Pujara, will not be walking out to bat in the whites.

Instead, he will join the commentary panel for Star Sports as he will be offering his insights from the commentary box. Pujara, who was one of the crucial parts of India’s Test set-up in the last two tours Down Under, will be missed.

His absence leaves a void in the team and his last Test appearance came against Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final, and though his bat has temporarily gone silent in international cricket, his contributions on Indian tours Down Under remain fresh in memory.

From being India’s savior with marathon knocks to battling tough bowling conditions, the Saraushtra-born has been at the heart of India’s success in Australia over the years.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s Heroics in Australia: 2018-19 Masterclass

The 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was the zenith of Cheteshwar Pujara’s cricketing career. The right-handed batter not only anchored India’s batting lineup but also emerged as the backbone of their first-ever Test series victory on Australian soil.

Pujara was in sublime form throughout the series, where he amassed 521 runs in four matches at an extraordinary average of 74.42, laced with three centuries and one half-century against a fearsome Australian bowling attack led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon.

His standout performance came in the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he scored a near-flawless 193 off 373 (22 fours). The innings was a masterclass in patience and technique as he occupied the crease for hours and frustrated the opposition.

His performances were not just about the runs he scored but also about the time he spent at the crease as he faced a staggering 1,258 deliveries across seven innings in the series, effectively blunting Australia’s top-tier bowling attack and allowing India’s other batters to capitalize on a worn-out opposition.

Cheteshwar Pujara's resilience in 2020-21 BGT Series

Two years later, in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Pujara found himself battling not just Australia’s bowlers but also a slump in personal form. Despite the dip, his contribution was crucial in India’s remarkable series victory.

Pujara scored 271 runs in four matches at an average of 33.87, significantly lower than his 2018-19 heroics. However, he still ended the series as India’s second-highest run-scorer, behind Rishabh Pant, who scored 274 runs. Pujara notched up three half-centuries in the series, with his gritty innings in Sydney and Brisbane standing out.

In Sydney, he faced relentless bowling but held his ground, helping India secure a crucial draw. At Brisbane’s Gabba, his resilient knock of 56 in the second innings was instrumental in setting up India’s historic chase and eventual series victory (2-1).

The manner in which Pujara went about his work in tiring out the Australian bowlers was brilliant, which let stroke-makers like Pant and Shubman Gill to play freely and it paved the way for India’s success in the series.