Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
cape town, Cheteshwar Pujara credited all-rounder Hardik Pandya for helping India stay afloat in the first Test against South Africa.
“Everyone believed he (Pandya) can play such an innings. He played his shots and the environment in the dressing room became quite positive. Those runs were very important for the team and they have kept us in the game,” said Pujara after the day’s play.
“If he hadn’t scored those runs, we would have been in trouble. So, I think he kept us in the game and got us two wickets also at the end of day’s play. His performance was outstanding,” Pujara added.
What Pujara liked about Pandya’s innings was the character shown by him. “He batted really well and showed a lot of character. He hasn’t played many Test matches away from home but this is the kind of innings we expected from him. I think if someone who is very promising, is batting well, bowling well, then it makes a lot of difference to the team because when you have a very good all-rounder it balances your team combination,” said Pujara.
India struggled in the morning session against the relentless South African pace bowling quarter, in particular Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada. The duo shared six wickets between them. “They bowled in the right areas, but at the same time, we knew what we wanted to do. We almost got that, I think. Rohit got out but otherwise we were trying to build a partnership and we almost got it,” said Pujara.
