Share

Pujara: SA attack one of the best I've faced

Cape Town - Indian No 3 Cheteshwar Pujara admits that this South African attack is one of the best he has ever faced in Test cricket.

Pujara and his Indian team-mates were bowled out for 209 on day two of the first Test against the Proteas at Newlands, and that could have been a lot worse had the hard-hitting Hardik Pandya not smashed 93. 

Pandya did ride his luck - he was dropped on 15 and survived a stumping chance - but he was still the shining light in what was an otherwise disappointing Indian batting effort. 

The visitors arrived in South Africa confident that, this time around, they were equipped to deal with the pace, bounce and movement that comes with playing in this country. 

Instead, Vernon Philander (3/33), Dale Steyn (2/51), Morne Morkel (2/57) and Kagiso Rabada (3/34) made the most of the Newlands wicket as India's batters struggled. 

Pujara himself had done all the hard work on day two, batting through the entire morning session before a lapse in concentration saw him removed by Philander with the very first ball after lunch when he edged to Faf du Plessis at slip. 

His knock of 26 was the next highest Indian score after Pandya, and he confirmed after the day's play that the South African attack was up there with the best he had seen. 

"This is one of the best bowling attacks I’ve faced. You know that is their strength and you need to know how to counter-attack," he said.

"All of their bowlers have done well, especially in South Africa. They know which areas to bowl in.

"At the same time, when I bat I don’t look at the bowler or the bowling line-up. I just try and a look at the ball and keep it simple. I would rather concentrate on what I want to do rather than whether they have the best bowlers in the world. It hardly matters … if you bat well, you can score runs."

The good news for Pujara and his team-mates is that they will almost certainly not be seeing that bowling attack again. 

Steyn is out with an injured heel, and he is not expected to feature in the remainder of the series. 

South Africa will resume their second innings on day two at 65/2 with a lead of 142, but Pujara believes that India are still well placed in the contest.

"I think we are in a good position. We got the two wickets today," he said.

"If we bowl well tomorrow and are chasing anything around 350, I think we are very much in the game.

"Our batters in the first innings didn’t click and I think we will have a better showing in the first innings."

 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE