1 Oct / 2016(428)…Pujara needs to improve at No.3

Here is how Cheteshwar Pujara performed in last 4 Test matches(2^nd Test v NZ not included).

Below table is his phase wise performance featuring balls faced, runs scored and scoring shots. In West Indies he was selected in 2 Tests batted in 3 Inns. However batting at No.3 he faced fewer balls in each phase(60 balls in 10 overs of each phase x 3 inns =180 balls)hence he has been very slow.

This was not the case against NZ in 1^st Test at Kanpur where in 2 inns(120 balls per phase) he was able to have better scoring opportunity, hence he was able to score every 3.39 balls (5. 28 in WI). His boundary rate jumped to 6.90/100 balls at Kanpur –compare to 1.76/100 balls in West Indies.

The first column is No. of balls faced and balls available in each phase.

Here is an interesting aspect of his performance. He is not as good against fast bowling compare to how he plays spin bowling. A No.3 batsmen is supposed to be their best batsmen in the playing XI, and he needs to be well quipped against pace irrespective on what surface he bats. Although in these 4 test he did not get dismissed against pace but he was not able to score runs and perhaps that is one of the reason Indian team were not able move-on an post big score.

Here is table featuring his performance against each type of bowling in last 4 test match(2^nd Test v NZ not included).