Cheteshwar Pujara Reflects on Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy and the Essence of Test Cricket
Cheteshwar Pujara shared his thoughts on Rohit Sharma’s leadership and the evolving nature of Test cricket in a candid conversation with Vimal Kumar on YouTube.
Speaking about Rohit Sharma, Pujara said:
"Rohit Sharma as captain is different. He's a very unfiltered person—he says exactly what’s on his mind. He's very good with his communication with players. My 100th Test match was under his captaincy, and that was a special moment for me."
On the broader topic of Test cricket’s future and style of play, Pujara addressed the recent narrative around aggressive batting:
"Saying that only aggressive cricket can take Test matches forward isn’t entirely true. The real key to success in Tests is playing according to the situation. That doesn’t always mean slowing down—sometimes, you should be scoring at 80 or even 100 strike rate, especially on a flat wicket. But when conditions are tough and the bowlers are on top, you’ve got to respect that."
He emphasized the importance of adaptability and game awareness:
"It’s about absorbing pressure when needed and cashing in when the moment’s right. That’s especially important in places like SENA countries, where the new ball can be a real handful. Reading the game is everything."
Pujara's perspective reinforces the belief that Test cricket remains a battle of temperament, technique, and tactical nous.