Cheteshwar Pujara’s intent, or the lack thereof, is once again a topic of discussion after his sedate innings at the SCG on day three of the third India-Australia Test.

The man who took 53 balls to get off the mark in an innings against South Africa a couple of years back is in the spotlight again for his strike-rate after a slow start in Sydney. Pujara was on nine off 53 balls at close of play on day two, and while that picked up a bit in the first session on day three, the strike-rate was still below 30 runs per 100 balls as the teams broke off for lunch.

Pujara’s intent has always been a topic that divided fans, and on Saturday there was more evidence of the same as a section of fans and analysts criticised his slow scoring while the others hailed his resilience with India losing wickets at the other end.

Enjoying Pujara’s innings. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/S5ptbnvwhd

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 8, 2021

Too defensive from Pujara. He will get one unplayable deliver from a quality attack if he keeps standing there without scoring. It’s about scoring runs. Allowing Australia to take control.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 8, 2021

Pujara 43 off 150 balls, this is basically terrorism.

— KB (@KB_LFC) January 9, 2021

 

This is plain embarrassing

Pujara is just wasting time out there #AUSvsIND https://t.co/wb7vqAjlUR

— Yonis (@Gervinhooshair) January 9, 2021

Pujara Need To Hit Some Shots#INDvsAUS

— Debojit Nath (@Deb22dn) January 9, 2021

In the first 100 balls of his innings, Cheteshwar Pujara’s attacking shot percentage was 3%.

Since 2006 – when attack percentage was first recorded – there have been 3675 Test innings of 100+ balls.

Only four saw fewer attacking shots in the first 100 balls. #AUSvIND

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 9, 2021

Some even felt that Pujara’s innings was responsible for Ajinkya Rahane’s dismissal. Rahane had tried to play a cut close to his body to chop one onto the stumps off the bowling off Cummins.

Rahane dismissed trying to cut one he would’ve rather defended. 17 off 30 this morning. Pujara 4* from 28 overnight. As much as I admire Che for his way of playing, can’t help but think at certain match situations, it forces others to press the issue to move the game on. #AUSvIND

— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) January 8, 2021

PUJARA HAS TO SCORE 💯 AT LEAST IF HE WANTS TO COMPENSATE FOR RAHANE DISMISSAL

IF IT WASN’T FOR PUJARA SLOW BATTING AT THAT TIME , RAHANE NEVER NEEDED TO BE EXTRA AGRESSIVE AT THAT TIME

PUJARA SCORED FIRST THREE RUNS IN THREE BALLS AND THAN PLAYED 45 BALLS TO SCORE 1 RUN

— REALITY TIME INDIA (@r_t_india1947) January 9, 2021

But, like usual, Pujara had backing from another set of fans and journalists who felt that he did the right thing to absorb pressure and soak up balls with India losing wickets at the other end.

A Cheteshwar Pujara masterclass century loading.#AUSvIND

— Yash Agarwalla (@Yashagarwalla) January 9, 2021

absolute pujara masterclass so far hope i do not jinx #AUSvIND

— Tony Steele (@tds122) January 8, 2021

The Indian camp on their feet in the dressing-room as Cheteshwar Pujara walks back. They acknowledge the crucial role he’s played this morning. This is not a fast-scoring pitch #AusvIND

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 9, 2021

According to Indian Cricket Twitter, Rahane “came under pressure” because of Pujara’s “slow batting”. 🤦‍♂️

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) January 8, 2021

Really silly of Pujara and Rahane not to switch hit every ball for six here to show more intent. Will probably cost India the game IMVHO

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) January 8, 2021