Cheteshwar Pujara gets runout again; should keep an eye on Kohli, says Mohammad Kaif

Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara had a forgettable return to Indian XI for the second Test at Lord’s as he was run out for just one under overcast conditions in the Home of Cricket. India seem to be back to their usual batting debacle in overseas Tests but what was more painful about this dismissal is it was a complete waste of a precious wicket in an innocuous delivery.

Pujara came out to bat virtually as an opener as India lost opener Murali Vijay on the fifth delivery of the innings after England won the toss and put the hosts into bat. He was doing the job of seeing off deliveries well before the disaster struck. He played a straight length delivery from James Anderson to point and then decided to take a quick single with fast runner Virat Kohli, the captain, at the other end. Kohli responded well to take a run and started off but then stopped and turned back. It was far too late for Pujara then to reach to safety and he just gave up.

Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif, who was known for his swift movement between wickets, tweeted about the incident saying that although one could blame Kohli for the runout but alerted Pujara to keep an eye on the Indian captain throughout. The Twitterati was, however, divided over his take with some sympathising with Pujara and others backing Kohli.

Though one can blame Kohli for the runout , but next time hope Pujara keeps his eyes on kohli through out.#ENDvIND

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 10, 2018

Pujara’s run outs

This is the third time in six innings that Pujara, a key player in India’s batting line-up, has got himself run out at a crucial time. In January this year, he was run out twice in one Test at Centurion in South Africa, leaving India’s fans frustrated. He was dismissed on the very first ball that he played in the first innings from a direct hit from Lungi Ngidi as he tried to steal a run after placing the ball in the mid-on region.

In the second, he was run out again, this time by a combined effort, as was eyeing a third run with partner Parthiv Patel. He was out for 19 off 47 balls and made history by becoming the first Indian batsman to get run out twice in a single Test.

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