Shubman Gill. (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: It is the fifth day of the Gabba Test. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are pounding in, both bowling thunderbolts. The Aussie pacers are targeting the Indian batsmen at the crease – Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara – with fiery short-pitch stuff.
Pujara, the battling warrior, is hit and bruised by the fast bowlers not once or twice – but 11 times. He is first hit on the helmet by a Cummins bouncer. A while later another bouncer hits the side of Pujara’s helmet, causing the neck protector to fly out of its groove.
Then came a moment when it seemed like the breaking point. Pujara found himself in agonising pain as a Josh Hazlewood delivery smashed straight on his right glove. He threw his bat on the ground, removed his helmet and gloves and crashed on the ground. Everyone watching felt he would retire. But, Pujara isn’t one to leave a battle midway. He soldiered on for India’s cause.
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