Not Dhoni or Kohli; Aussie captain reveals Indian batter who troubled him the most

SYDNEY: Australian captain Pat Cummins has revealed the Indian batter who gave him the most trouble while bowling in international cricket. According to Cummins, it was Cheteshwar Pujara who kept him awake at night. He made the revelation during an exclusive interview with Prime Video Sports.

Pujara’s ability to withstand Australia’s pace attack and remain at the crease during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series has long been admired by cricket experts and fans. Explaining his choice, Cummins said, “I would pick Pujara from India. He is very difficult to get out. It is like trying to cut through a thousand pieces of paper. He has no problem playing as many dot balls as possible. He does not give the opposition even a single chance.”

Pujara played 25 Tests against Australia and scored 2,074 runs at an average of 49.38. Notably, 993 of those runs came on Australian soil. He scored three centuries and five half-centuries in Australia, with a highest score of 193.

Pujara’s performances in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series remain memorable. He stood firm against world-class Australian pacers such as Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Pujara played 103 Tests for India before retiring from international cricket last year. He scored 7,195 runs at an average of 43.6, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries.

Cummins also named tough opponents from other countries during the interview. Recalling the aggressive batting style of former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, he picked McCullum as his toughest opponent from New Zealand. From Pakistan, Cummins chose former spinner Saeed Ajmal. The Australian captain said Ajmal had a very unique bowling style and that he had never seen a bowler like him before. Cummins also included former England captain Alastair Cook, South African legend AB de Villiers, Sri Lankan star Tillakaratne Dilshan and West Indies great Chris Gayle among his toughest opponents.