Match-winning knocks are more important than individual records: Cheteshwar Pujara

Mumbai: Cheteshwar Pujara batted for almost two days and faced 525 deliveries – most by an Indian batsman in a Test innings – for his 202 in Ranchi against Australia in the third Test.

The crucial innings tilted the balance of the game in India’s favour, but a valiant effort from Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb helped Australia secure a draw. For Pujara, his 92 in Bengaluru – which helped Indian beat Australia by 75 runs and made a comeback in the series – is more valuable than the double ton.

"When I walked back (after getting out), I was not regretting those eight runs I didn't get, but was feeling happy that Ajinkya (Rahane, with whom he shared a 118-run stand for the fifth wicket) and I had pulled the team out of trouble and put them in a reasonably secure position," Pujara told the Indian Express.

"We were just 30-odd runs ahead of Australia when Ajinkya joined me, and if one of us had got out then Australia could have dismissed us cheaply and maybe won the match.

“Now, I feel content if my knock, be it a 50 or 200, comes in a vital juncture of the match, and if helps my team win the match. So I rate my 92 (in Bangalore) over my 202 (in Ranchi). It’s a big mistake if you start counting your longest innings as your best innings,” added Pujara.