Three instances when Pujara’s run-out cost India the match

Unfriendly conditions and accurate bowling resulted in India’s abysmal performance on the second day of the Lord’s Test. The visitors were bundled out for just 107 runs as James Anderson and company exploited the conditions to a great effect. But CheteshwarPujara’s downfall wasn’t owing to the swing or the conditions, he was outdone by his same old problem.

Pujara, one of India’s technically sound batsman has been getting run-out quite frequently in the recent times. At Lord’s too he was out in the similar fashion although this time it was Virat Kohli’s fault.

These frequent run-outs have costed Pujara his place in the side and the team has lost several opportunities of victories. Here are three such instances when Pujara’s run-out dented India’s hopes of win:

#3 Versus England, third Test, 2012-

India were trailing by 207 runs in the second innings of the crucial third Test at Kolkata. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir scored 86 runs for the first wicket to kickstart India’s fight back but Pujara brought England back in the contest by gifting his wicket at the team score of 98. Although it was Gambhir’s call, the throw from Ian Bell struck the stumps at Pujara’s end to catch him short of the crease.

#2 Versus Australia, third Test, 2017.

Although India won this match, Pujara’s run-out in the fourth innings when India needed 106 runs to win surely gave the home team a headache. Murali Vijay was out in the 13^th over and five balls later, Pujara too went back thanks to an accurate throw from point by Glenn Maxwell.

#1 Versus South Africa, second Test, 2018-

Probably of all run-outs, this was the one which will hurt Pujara the most as he was run-out in both innings in this match.

After losing the first Test, India needed their batsmen to step-up against South Africa’s pace cordon. But Pujara tried to run a non-existent single on his very first ball and was run-out courtesy of a sharp through by Lungi Nigdi from mid-on.

In the second innings India were chasing 287 runs and had slumped to three down for 49. India’s remaining hopes relied on Pujara who was playing on 19 at the moment. But he tried to steal a third run and was once again run-out. India lost the match by 135 runs.