Is he the new “Wall” of Indian Cricket ?
Author :
Narendra
Blog :reddyzviewz
Date: 8/23/2012 2:29:08 PM
Ever since the retirement of Rahul Dravid, Cricket pundits, media and public were asking the same question ” Who will replace the WALL? “. Many names cropped up, Virat Kohli looked like the most probable replacement, he was already doing great stuff in ODIs at that position. However, good number of people were convinced that the team needed someone more on the lines of “WALL” and that was the big reason why selectors called upon Cheteshwar Pujara. He has been in news for all the good reasons, his recent match winning performance in WI for the India ‘A’ team made sure he booked a berth to play in the national team.
I had first seen Cheteswar Pujara during the 2008 domestic season, an innings where he scored 70 something and he flayed the bowlers all over the ground with astounding grace. For a long time I hadn’t seen anyone of that class ( the last one who really caught my attention was Ambati Rayudu ).
Few years later he made an audacious debut against Australia and helped India win. But then he was gone for a while, mostly due to
injuries. However, from the time Rahul Dravid announced his retirement Cheteswar was back in the reckoning. He found support from Cricketing legends and media rallied for him to take the No.3 position.
After all the hype over the last 5-6 months today was the day. After a brief suspense he came into bat at the coveted No.3 position and by the end of the day he had eased into his first Test 100 in style. A patient knock, where he displayed every possible shot in the book ( more on the defense department ). First half of his innings was sedate and cautious and then just as if to show us that he can play at a completely different gear he clobbered the bowlers and raced away to a richly deserved century. He for sure looks like someone who can carry the team and the hopes of Billion plus fans. Have we found the new wall? that’s what everyone is asking after his debut century but I guess wall isn’t built in day 
For now fans, experts, media would rejoice the making of a new Cricketing hero however, only time will tell how big a hero he would turn out to be.
