'Too many shots in the first 15-20 overs' - Cheteshwar Pujara dissects India's underwhelming batting performance in second BGT Test

The ongoing Adelaide Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has been severely underwhelming for India, particularly as far as their batting is concerned. The lack of application has costed them and as of Stumps on the second day, they find themselves trailing by 29 runs with five batters back to the shed already. After bowling Australia out in their first innings, they would have hoped for a stable start to conclude Day 2. However, they face a formidable challenge awaiting on the third day.

Legendary batter, Cheteshwar Pujara, in a recent discussion, was critical of the Indian batters taking one too many cracks at the pink ball during when it was in its freshest state.

"The way they (Indians) are batting, something has been discussed in the team meeting where the approach seems to be to play more positively. We batted cautiously against the new ball in Perth (in the second innings of the first Test). They are playing too many shots in the first 15–20 overs. Quite often, you have to play shots to put pressure on the bowlers, but you have to somewhere or the other respect the conditions as well because the Australian bowlers know which channel to bowl," stated Pujara, during a discussion on Star Sports.

You have to show more confidence in your defence: Pujara

The Saurashtra batter attributed the faulty shot selection of the Indians to their inexperience when it comes to playing Pink Ball under lights.

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He was also lavish in praise for the Australian bowlers. The commended their intermittent utilization of the short delivery, and also praised the consistent top-of-off channels they employed.

"The bowling was excellent, but the shot selection could have been better. You need to bat a little more cautiously. You have to show more confidence in your defence. The biggest point, according to me, was the lack of experience with the pink ball. We don't play too many day-night Tests. So, we don't have the experience there. The ball skids a little more, and the reaction time is less. All the batters who got out were somewhere or the other late on the ball," added Pujara.