Even though Cheteshwar Pujara featuring in the playing XI for the 2014/15 tour of Australia, still made a big influence on David Warner, the latter revealed in a conversation recently. Talking to Harbhajan Singh and Jatin Sapru on Star Sports, Pujara mentioned how Warner attempted to sledge him while the Indians were in the field; however, he had only a few minutes earlier walked in from the same field after collecting drinks for the batters. On cue at that point, Pujara, not showing him any sign of surprise or nervousness, managed a sharp riposte for him.
What Happened Between Warner & Pujara in 2014/15 Tour?
“During the 2014/15 tour, I wasn’t in the playing XI. I was carrying the drinks, he came to me and said, ‘you look good carrying drinks’,” Pujara revealed.
“Since then, we kept sledging. And every time, I would do this (shows the off-spin sign) because Ashwin would dismiss him the most. And I told every bowler to just gesture the off-spin bowling at him, because it plays psychological trick on him,” said Pujara.
Pujara’s Sharp Reply To Warner
“I used to sledge him at short-leg too. I won’t elaborate more on that! But whenever Warner used to come to India, I kept reminding him that he would get dismissed to Ashwin the most.”
Pujara revealed that the reply he made to Warner was not just a one-time affair, but something he had delivered on many occasions in different situations to put the Australian under pressure. His staying calm and composed at that moment, along with the clever riposte, indicated his mental strength and awareness on the field. Even though Pujara is not in the present Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he can still be felt in his role as part of the broadcasting team.
Besides this, he still is a key figure in Indian domestic cricket where he continues to play for Saurashtra, using all his vast experience and cricketing sagacity. The insight into his on-field wit forms another layer in his comprehensive cricketing persona.
