India’s middle-order batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara on Friday was awarded ICC’s Emerging Player of the Year award (August 7, 2012 to August 25, 2013).
India’s middle-order batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara on Friday was awarded ICC’s Emerging Player of the Year award (August 7, 2012 to August 25, 2013). The right-handed batsman who is tipped by many pundits as a rightful heir to Rahul Dravid with the batting technique and ability. Here’s why Pujara walked away with the award:
- His career-best unbeaten 206 came in the first innings against England in Ahmedabad on November 16, 2012.
- He remained unbeaten in both innings in the 1st Test against England at Ahmedabad (206 and 41) in November last year. India went on to win this match convincingly by nine wickets.
- He went on to score four centuries and two half centuries in this period (159 vs NZ, 206*, 135 vs Eng and 204 vs Aus). Pujara converted two of these into double-centuries.
- During this period Pujara also became the second fastest Indian to get to 1000 Test runs (in 18 innings), next only to Vinod Kambli, who did it in 14 innings.
- The 25-year-old put on a record 370-run second-wicket partnership with Murali Vijay against Australia in Hyderabad on March 4, 2013
