WTC Final: Pujara has done more than those who criticise his batting, says Tendulkar

Cheteshwar Pujara's style of batsmanship is integral to Team India's success and critics who haven't achieved anything close to what he has for the country should just take it a bit easy, feels former captain and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Pujara, despite his lion-hearted effort in Australia, has often faced the criticism about not showing enough intent to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Sachin Tendulkar:

Tendulkar, in an interview to PTI, said this perspective is faulty and also spoke on a host of issues ahead of India's World Test Championship final against New Zealand starting June 18 in Southampton.

"I think we should appreciate what Cheteshwar Pujara has been able to achieve for India. It's not always going about and maintaining a strike-rate and in Test cricket, you need different kind of planning and different kind of players to fit into your team," Tendulkar said.

"It's like five fingers in your hands. Each finger has a different role and Pujara is an integral part of our team. I really like what Pujara has done for India. Rather than scrutinising his each innings, we should be appreciative of what he has done. for India.

"Guys who are digging deep into his technique and rotation, I don't think those guys have played as much top level cricket as Pujara," the legendary right-hander took Pujara's sceptics to the cleaners.

Tendulkar feels that people's perspective has changed because of T20 where only one skill — hitting the ball out of park — is appreciated.

"They possibly don't understand. In today's age of T20, probably if someone can hit the ball, he is regarded as a good player," he said with a hint of sarcasm.

"(It is) not necessary that person has to be a good Test player. In Test cricket, you need much more than just hitting the ball and trying to play big shots."

For those who are concerned about strike rates in Tests, Tendulkar feels that India have a lot of players with attacking instincts.

"For strike-rate, we have players like Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. They can always increase the strike rate. But when it comes to tiring the opposition and where you require planning and vision to execute whatever your strategies are, for that you need a Cheteshwar."

Talk about the team combination for the World Test Championship final and the holder of 100 international tons feels that both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja can be effective even if there isn't much help off the surface at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton.

"The possibility, according to me, is to play three fast bowlers and two spinners because both (Ashwin and Jadeja) can bat. Eventually how the team management feels after looking at the wicket matters," Tendulkar said.

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