India’s ‘Mr Dependable’ Cheteshwar Pujara has named the toughest bowler to face in the current era. It’s an Australian pacer whom India’s Test expert hailed as the most challenging bowler.
At the time, Pujara is playing for Saurashtra in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2022-23. On Friday (January 20), he scored 91 runs in a match against Andhra in the second innings. However, he couldn’t help Saurashtra win the contest and they lost by 150 runs.
Following his fighting knock against Andhra, Pujara reached the 12000-run mark in First Class cricket. The right-handed batter touched the milestone in his 145th match.
Pujara will next be seen in action when Saurashtra faces Tamil Nadu, and then he will join the Indian side for Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023, where Australia will visit India for a four-match Test series commencing on February 09.
In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Pujara shed light on who he considers the ‘toughest bowler’ of the current era. India’s red ball stalwart named Australian skipper and premier pacer Pat Cummins as the most challenging bowler in cricket currently.
“Pat Cummins would be the toughest bowler to face in cricket currently,” said Pujara while speaking to ESPNCricinfo in a question and answer segment.
Notably, Cummins is the world’s no. 1 ranked bowler in Test cricket with 878 points to his name and will be up against Pujara in the upcoming BGT 2023. In his Test career so far, Cummins has grabbed 214 runs in 47 matches, while Pujara has slammed 7014 runs in 98 matches at an impressive average of 44.4.
Talking about the face-off between the two, the Aussie pacer has dismissed Pujara seven times in 17 innings.
Australia are currently the table toppers in World Test Championship 2021-23 standings and will look to seal their final spot next month when they lock horns with India. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma & Co. will also try their best to qualify for the finale by beating the Aussies in home conditions.
