Sunil Gavaskar | Sunil Gavaskar come in support of Cheteshwar Pujara after Batsman face criticism for slow innings in WTC Final

India lost to New Zealand by 8 wickets in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). Many Indian batsmen scored slow runs in the title match. At the same time, ‘trustworthy’ batsman Cheteshwar Pujara played a very sluggish innings in the match. In the first innings, he scored 8 runs in 54 balls with the help of 2 fours and did not take any run. He faced 80 balls in the second innings and collected 15 through 2 fours. Seeing these innings of Pujara in the final, Indian fans got angry and they vented their anger on social media. But now former Indian captain and veteran batsman Sunil Gavaskar has defended Pujara.

‘The conditions were not very suitable for batting’

Gavaskar told India Today that the New Zealand players also batted slow because the conditions were not suitable for batting. Gavaskar said, ‘We should remember how New Zealand batted. The conditions were not very suitable for batting. It suited the bowlers. You see how Conway, Williamson batted in both the innings. Let us inform that opener Devon Conway scored 54 runs in 153 balls in the first innings and 19 runs in 41 balls in the second innings. Williamson scored 49 off 177 balls in the first innings and 52 off 89 balls in the second innings.

‘Taylor also started the innings like Pujara’

Gavaskar also took a dig at those criticizing Pujara for his slow batting. “The way Ross Taylor (47 off 100 balls) batted with a slow start, we should remember that. He also started the innings playing slow like Pujara. But if you want to point fingers at Pujara, we cannot say anything. The former cricketer further said, ‘Pujara is the player whose tenacity allows the batsman at the other end to play the stroke. They are sure that Pujara is standing at one end. It is worth noting that Team India will now play five Test matches against England from August 4, in which all eyes will be on Pujara.