By Guy Williams, The Cricket Paper
Without doubt, Yorkshire have chosen wisely in recruiting Cheteshwar Pujara who, like Geoffrey Boycott, delights in occupying the crease for endless periods and therefore gives himself the best opportunity to score big hundreds.
A quick glance at the Indian’s first class record explains why Yorkshire were so keen to re-sign him after the favourable impression the prolific right-hander made in 2015.
Ranked seventh in the ICC table, Pujara has scored more than 13,000 runs, averaging 56.42, and has compiled 44 centuries. In 57 Tests, the 30-year-old has patiently scored 4,496 runs (50.51) which include 14 centuries.
However, what stands out significantly is Pujara’s ability to bat on and on once he’s reached three figures. Not only has he struck three Test double hundreds against England (206) and two against Australia (204 and 202), Pujara’s calm style has enabled him to score three triple centuries in first class cricket-only the ninth to achieve that landmark.
In 2015, Pujara made only four Championship appearances for Yorkshire, but in his short stay became a popular player in the dressing room, even more so when he scored 133 against Hampshire at Headingley.
Now, the Indian star will be here for longer, playing in the opening five Championship matches and in seven one day games in the Royal London Cup before returning home to prepare for India’s Test against Afghanistan, starting on June 14th. Yorkshire hope that he will be available for some of the remaining Championship games in September.
Inevitably, India will rely heavily on Pujara’s runs later in the summer during the Test series against England, beginning in August, but before that his thoughts are concentrated on Yorkshire.
“I had a wonderful time in 2015 and I wanted to come back,” he said. “The atmosphere was something which stood out for me and when I came back, they were still calling me Steve because it’s difficult for them to pronounce my Christian name.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of batting in English conditions. When you score runs on difficult pitches, you are more confident and satisfied. Sometimes when you score only 50, it’s helpful to the team. Looking back, when I scored 50 (179 balls) against South Africa at Johannesburg in the Third Test in January, it was really satisfying than scoring a double hundred against England.
