Tendulkar hails contribution of Pujara, pacers

Mumabi, January 9 

Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday singled out Cheteshwar Pujara for his stellar show in India's maiden Test series win in Australia. Tendulkar was also impressed with the style of play dished out by the Indian team, saying the brand of cricket produced by Virat Kohli and his men in the four-Test series was “magnificent”. India registered their first-ever Test series triumph in Australia since the country's first visit way back in 1947-48, winning matches at Adelaide and Melbourne while losing at Perth before the rain-marred last Test at Sydney was drawn.

“Fantastic. The team has done really well. The brand of cricket that India has been able to produce Down Under has been magnificent,” said Tendulkar.

“I find it difficult to pinpoint one moment, but I think Pujara has been really outstanding. The number of statements made on Pujara, which ideally weren't in his favour, kind of undermined (diminished) his contribution. Along with (Pujara), (we) cannot ignore the bowlers' contribution. The bowlers have (also) done exceedingly well.

“But Pujara has been instrumental in laying that solid foundation,” he said. —PTI