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    Pujara’s Kanpur transformation augurs well for India

    Of all the things that went right in the test series opener against New Zealand, Cheteshwar Pujara’s transformation from an obdurate accumulator of runs to a free-scoring batsman when needed must be the most pleasing for India captain Virat Kohli.

    Pujara’s Kanpur transformation augurs well for India
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    Cheteshwar Pujara scored important half-centuries in both innings of the first Test

    In a team teeming with flamboyant strokemakers, Pujara’s batting, built on a watertight defence and an unflappable temperament, is almost an anachronism. 

    India’s test number three feels he has no obligation to quench the boundary-thirst of the home fans, shuns the aerial route like a man inflicted with the fear of flying and believes defence is the best offence. Rather unsurprisingly, the 29-year-old went unsold in the players’ auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL), and his strike rate, currently under 49 in tests, led to his exclusion from the third test against West Indies last month. 

    First in the domestic Duleep Trophy and now in the first test against New Zealand, Pujara’s batting has been something of a revelation. 

    “Obviously he’s someone who absorbs pressure really well,” Kohli said of Pujara whose scores of 62 and 78 came with 50-plus strike rates in both innings. “After a certain stage in the innings, there comes a time when the team needs a few runs. 

    “That’s where we felt he has enough ability to capitalise. It was just about conveying to him.”

    Kohli confirmed the team management had a chat with Pujara to fine tune his game. 

    “We did not want him to go into a shell,” Kohli said. “We want Pujara to bat to his potential. Once he starts scoring runs along with the composure he already has, it becomes very difficult for the opposition to have control on the game. 

    “That’s all we wanted to convey to him.” 

    Batting at what is arguably the most important position in a test lineup, Pujara’s form will be key to India’s success in their bumper 13-test home season and Kohli was glad the right hander took the advice in right spirit. 

    “He’s someone who really understands what the team wants and has worked really hard on his game,” Kohli said. 

    “We as a team and I as the captain really appreciate that he’s worked hard and hasn’t told us that ‘this is my comfort zone, I’m not going to get out of it,” he added.

    KAPIL TO RING THE BELL DURING EDEN TEST 

    India’s first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev will ring the bell, to be installed at the Eden Gardens, on the first day of India’s second Test against New Zealand, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly said. This match will be India’s 250th on home ground. The bell, resembling the one at Lord’s, is likely to be installed on Tuesday. Made of brass with a top coating of silver, it has been brought from Chandigarh. A gold coin will be used for toss, and Ganguly informed the coin, embossed with ‘250’, will be used for every match played at the Eden henceforth. 

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