Pujara and Pacers stood out, says Sachin Tendulkar

Mumbai: Man of the series in India’s maiden Test series triumph in Australia, Cheteshwar Pujara has won many fans including Sachin Tendulkar. The ‘Master Blaster’ praised Pujara for defying the Aussie bowlers and setting the platform for the middle-order batsmen.

Pujara was dropped for the first Test in England earlier this year and there were questions about his future. But the No. 3 batsman put behind some disappointments to amass 521 runs against Australia.

“Pujara has been really outstanding. The number of statements made on Pujara, which ideally weren’t in his favour, kind of undermined his contribution. The bowlers have also done exceedingly well,” Tendulkar said.

“I think somewhere Pujara has been instrumental in laying that solid foundation on which there were a number of guys who went out and got runs. But if I have to pin-point one guy then Pujara stands out along with the fast bowlers,” he added.

Tendulkar was also impressed with the brand of cricket produced by Virat Kohli & Co. in the four-Test series. “It was Fantastic. The brand of cricket that India has been able to produce Down Under has been magnificent,” added Tendulkar

Indian pacers led by Jasprit Bumrah bowled with aggression to unsettle the Aussies. Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma also bowled exceedingly well. Umesh Yadav got just one game and Bhuvneshwar Kumar warmed the bench. The pace attack had done well in South Africa and England also and Tendulkar felt the Indian bowling attack has proved that it is capable of delivering in all conditions across the world.

“I can comfortably say that we are a competitive attack in any part of the world, on any surface. We are ready to go and play anywhere in the world and be extremely competitive. Spinners also chipped in at various occasions. What you want is also your fast bowlers to bowl those hostile spells in patches and that has happened more frequently, it was not just about the new ball game, it was also to do with the old ball and how consistently one can bowl in 140 plus and that is something, which is pleasing to the eye,” he said.

Sachin believed the emergence of current crop of fast bowlers is due to their talent besides easy accessibility to any information. “I feel, we have got quality fast bowlers, at the same time, it is not just to do with your diet and accessibility to various information, but also the guys are talented, they are really (talented),” he said. He also hoped that the 2-1 result in Australia would inspire the younger generation.

“Hopefully, there are many journeys which have started already. You need these kinds of results to inspire them,” he said.