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India vs England 2014: Rare failure for Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara is believed to have the best technique in the current Indian Test line-up and the reason behind his struggle has been extremely surprising for most of his fans.

Zee Media Bureau/ Suyash Srivastava New Delhi: He was expected to be one of the highest run-scorers in the five-match Test series between India and England. Some experts were of the opinion that he would have at least a couple of centuries in his kitty by the end of the last Test. But that wasn`t the case, as Cheteshwar Pujara managed to score just one half-century from ten innings. Pujara scored 222 runs in 10 innings with 55 being his highest score at a poor average of 22.20 in the series. MS Dhoni and his men were humiliated in the last two Tests where India were beaten inside three days - losing both by an innings. Pujara, who has been a run-machine in the Indian domestic circuit, surprisingly, was often dismissed after getting starts. English pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled a brilliant line outside the off-stump to both Pujara and Virat Kohli, who were often dismissed caught behind the stumps. Pujara is believed to have the best technique in the current Indian Test line-up and the reason behind his struggle has been extremely surprising for most of his fans. To overcome his weakness on seaming tracks, Pujara had sought permission from the BCCI to play in the remainder of the English county season and was allowed to do so by the Board. India will play West Indies in the forthcoming tour, post which they will leave for a four-match Test series against Australia. Considering India`s dismal performances in overseas series of late, they need their champion batsman to get back to form as soon as possible.