Twitter bashes Cheteshwar Pujara for running himself out again

Cheteshwar Pujara, the most dependable batsman of India, has been completely out of touch in the ongoing Test series against South Africa. While a lot of talk of intent is going around in the Indian dressing room, the right-handed batsman has lost somewhere on this tour. Moreover, he has been under pressure to score runs quickly unnecessarily. However, he has been currently struggling with his running between the wickets after running himself out twice in the ongoing Test match in Centurion.

The current Indian Test side was tipped as one of the best to defeat the well-equipped Proteas side at home. The bowling attack was lauded and hoped to take the 20 wickets. While they have stepped up to the task, very few would’ve felt the most famed batting line-up would fail to come to the terms. As it has turned out, apart from Virat Kohli, all the batsmen have been found wanting in demanding conditions.

Pujara’s woes

Cheteshwar Pujara was run-out hopelessly going for a non-existent run in the first innings. Though, the visitors looked up to him to win the game for the team on the final day as they were reduced to 35/3 with the skipper Virat Kohli back in the hut. But he once again ran himself out in the first session itself going for the third run.

The incident happened in the 27th over when Parthiv Patel played the ball in the gap which was fielded splendidly by Lungi Ngidi. AB de Villiers then threw the ball directly into the hands of the wicket-keeper which caught Pujara off-guard. He dived to make himself safe but to no avail. The third umpire though took his time to give the decision but the writing was on the wall for him and would want to forget this Test in a hurry.

Twitterati was fumed over Pujara for running himself out once again when all the hopes were pinned at him. While few trolled him over his actions, many absolutely bashed for not putting his hands up when the team needed him the most.

Here’s how they reacted:

Cheteshwar Pujara becomes the first Indian player to be dismissed run out in each innings of a Test. #SAvIND

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) January 17, 2018

Twice in two innings…this is so unlike Pujara. He may not be the swiftest mover between the stumps but he’s a good judge of a run…generally. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 17, 2018

CHETESHWAR PUJARA: CHRIS GAYLE IN REVERSE

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) January 17, 2018

Yes, this is actually the right description of it, poor runner between the wickets, simple as that and if he is poor, he should just say a loud and clear NO.

— Abhishek (@Sajjanlaunda) January 17, 2018

Pujara knows his limitations while batting, so why is he trying to extend himself while running? He has no one to blame himself, and he has let his team down disastrously

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 17, 2018

Came down to whether a bail was off the groove but should never have come to that.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 17, 2018

how apt Cheteshwar Pujara is the first Indian to be run out in both the innings in a Test match!#SAvIND

— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) January 17, 2018

Pujara run out twice in the match. In many ways symptomatic of the ineptitude of India's batting

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 17, 2018

Run out twice in a Test match. Pujara showing completely the wrong kind of intent. #SAvIND

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) January 17, 2018

“Run hard”. “Push the fielders, put them under pressure” — you hear this stuff in modern dressing rooms. Thing is though, you need to know your own strengths. And weaknesses. And play to them.

— Prem Panicker (@prempanicker) January 17, 2018

If India want to do away with the run outs then there is a bloke called Ajinkya Rahane who has had 149 partnerships in Tests without ever being involved in a run out – currently a WORLD RECORD! #RSAvInd

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 17, 2018