Ajinkya Rahane is an Indian top-order batsman who has been a consistent run-getter in Test match cricket. Rahane possesses an organized batting technique adapting well to different conditions evidenced through a century in each country barring South Africa. He became India's Test vice-captain thanks to reliability in foreign challenges last decade. Though he struggled for runs since 2021 leading to exclusion from the Test team, Rahane's fourth innings rearguard centuries abroad demonstrated character under pressure. He captained India to a famous series win in Australia during the 2018 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While not a limited overs regular, Rahane's technical correctness and mental discipline helped India consolidate pivotal moments in matches establishing his pedigree as India's crisis man abroad.
Cheteshwar Pujara is a Indian top-order batter who has been a Test match specialist due to his patient batting approach and ability to play long innings. Since debuting in 2010, his technical mastery combating pace and spin bowling has made Pujara a reliable rock coming in at number three. He played pivotal marathon knocks home and away to stabilize India's fortunes including on their historic Australia tour in 2018. Though often accused of scoring slowly, Pujara's concentration levels for big scores provide assurance steering India to eventual wins. He has scored over 7000 runs in nearly 100 Tests and briefly led India too. With an ANY dismissal record of 50, Pujara remains valued in Tests but faces exclusion from limited overs cricket where fluency matters more despite remarkable fitness levels going strong in mid-30s.
Profile Details
Full Name
Cheteshwar Pujara
Born
January 25, 1988, Rajkot, Gujarat
Country
India
Role
Batsman
Batting Style
Right Handed Bat
Bowling Style
Right-arm legbreak
As known as
Steve
Batting Stats Head-to-Head
Ajinkya Rahane vs Cheteshwar Pujara
Most Runs
Highest Scores
Batting Average
Strike Rate
Most Centuries
Most Sixes
Bowling Stats Head-to-Head
Ajinkya Rahane vs Cheteshwar Pujara
Most Wickets
Most Innings
Economy Rate
Bowling Average
Strike Rate
Most Runs
Two pillars of India's Test middle-order this past decade, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara present a fascinating statistical showdown between style and substance. The wristy Rahane unfurls attractive strokeplay in compiling gritty runs; meanwhile the dogged Pujara has New Wall echoes grinding down attacks with monk-like focus. Rahane provides stability through creativity, Pujara offers solidity via endurance at the crease. Yet together, they exemplified the engine room that powered India's ascent to #1 in Test cricket world rankings.
Ajinkya Rahane Career Statistics
Career Batting Stats
Format
Matches (M)
Innings (Inn)
Not Outs (NO)
Runs (R)
High Score (HS)
Average (Avg.)
Balls Faced (BF)
Strike Rate (SR)
Hundreds (H)
Fifties (50x)
Fours (4s)
Sixes (6s)
Test
85
144
12
5077
188
38.46
10256
49.5
12
26
579
35
ODI
90
87
3
2962
111
35.26
3767
78.63
3
24
293
33
T20i
20
20
2
375
61
20.83
331
113.29
0
1
32
6
IPL
172
159
17
4400
105
30.99
3565
123.42
2
30
455
96
Career Bowling Stats
Format
Matches (M)
Innings (Inn)
Balls (B)
Runs (R)
Wickets (W)
BBM
Average (Avg.)
Economy (Econ.)
Strike Rate (SR)
5W
10W
Test
85
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ODI
90
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
T20i
20
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
IPL
172
1
6
5
1
1/5
5.0
5.0
6.0
0
0
Cheteshwar Pujara Career Statistics
Career Batting Stats
Format
Matches (M)
Innings (Inn)
Not Outs (NO)
Runs (R)
High Score (HS)
Average (Avg.)
Balls Faced (BF)
Strike Rate (SR)
Hundreds (H)
Fifties (50x)
Fours (4s)
Sixes (6s)
Test
103
176
11
7195
206
43.61
16217
44.37
19
35
863
16
ODI
5
5
0
51
27
10.2
130
39.23
0
0
4
0
IPL
30
22
3
390
51
20.53
391
99.74
0
1
50
4
Career Bowling Stats
Format
Matches (M)
Innings (Inn)
Balls (B)
Runs (R)
Wickets (W)
BBM
Average (Avg.)
Economy (Econ.)
Strike Rate (SR)
5W
10W
Test
103
2
12
3
0
0/1
0.0
1.5
0.0
0
0
ODI
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
IPL
30
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
The Stats Battle between Ajinkya vs Cheteshwar
Their numbers stacked up indicate giants of the five-day game towering over opposition at home and overseas to shape an era of Indian dominance. For purists, weighing Rahane's poise against Pujara's grit poses an intriguing generational rivalry between specialists bonded by concentration and courage while carrying India's batting fortunes on their able shoulders.
Ajinkya Rahane Vs Cheteshwar Pujara: Statistics Comparison
Ajinkya Rahane Vs Cheteshwar Pujara: Cricket Career Statistics Comparison – Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara as Test specialists have shown prowess steering India this past decade through skill and stoic strategy.
Their statistical records across formats are examined to appreciate two accomplished athletes rather than compare greatness. The focus is their excellence assisting cricket’s global ascent by showcasing how self-belief inspires possibility when unfettered.
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Both Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara had impressive early career beginnings in domestic cricket, with Rahane's prolific 2009-10 season and Pujara's meteoric rise in first-class cricket.
Rahane's dynamic batting style and adaptability across conditions have played a pivotal role in various overseas victories, while Pujara has been the anchor of India's batting lineup, wearing down the opposition's bowling attack.
Rahane's captaincy has been marked by strategic acumen, leading India to a historic Test victory against Australia, while Pujara's patient approach and technical proficiency balance the team's batting dynamism.
Both players have etched their names in the annals of cricket with their Test match prowess, with Rahane's aggressive stroke-play contrasting with Pujara's methodical technique.
Together they chronicle the sport’s continuing evolution where technique and concentration overcome limitations. For purists, these distinguished yet contrasting approaches spotlight conviction maximizing talent to succeed.
Analyzed together, Rahane and Pujara tell an inspirational story – of resilience empowered by work ethic uplifting India’s fortunes by transcending perceived restrictions on overseas batting exploits.
Early Career Beginnings
Both Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara marked their early cricket careers with significant domestic performances. Rahane debuted in first-class cricket in 2007 for Mumbai, while Pujara did the same for Saurashtra the following year.
These youthful prospects quickly established themselves as formidable batsmen within their respective teams. Rahane’s technique and temperament were on display as he amassed runs in the highly competitive Mumbai circuit, a breeding ground for international cricketers.
His domestic dominance was highlighted by a prolific 2009-10 season where he scored over 1000 runs, signaling his readiness for international cricket.
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Meanwhile, Pujara’s rise in domestic cricket was meteoric. Averaging close to 60 in first-class cricket, his hunger for runs and ability to play long innings made him a standout player.
His triple centuries in domestic cricket were a testament to his concentration and skill, attributes that earmarked him as a future mainstay in the Indian Test batting lineup.
Both players, through their performances, clamored for national attention, setting the stage for their eventual ascension to the international arena.
Their journeys from domestic circuits to the international stage underscore the importance of a robust first-class system in nurturing talent.
Test Match Performances: Ajinkya Rahane Vs Cheteshwar Pujara
Transitioning to the international stage, one observes that Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have crafted noteworthy Test careers, distinguished by critical contributions and consistent performances.
Their match temperament has been tested on numerous occasions, and both batsmen have demonstrated resilience and composure under pressure.
Analyzing their careers analytically, Rahane’s dynamic batting style has been pivotal in various overseas victories, showcasing adaptability across conditions.
His captaincy stints, albeit brief, have been marked by strategic acumen, most notably leading India to a historic Test victory against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in December 2020.
In contrast, Pujara’s role as the bulwark of India’s batting lineup cannot go unmentioned. His ability to anchor the innings and wear down the opposition’s bowling attack has been a cornerstone of his game, earning him the moniker ‘The New Wall.’
Pujara’s patient approach and technical proficiency have often been the balancing factor in the team’s batting dynamism.
Both Rahane and Pujara have etched their names in the annals of cricket with their Test match prowess. While their stats provide a quantitative measure of their impact, the qualitative aspects of their match temperament and leadership during captaincy stints resonate with an audience that values the liberation from the shackles of momentary lapses in form.
Batting Techniques and Styles
Ajinkya Rahane’s aggressive stroke-play contrasts sharply with Cheteshwar Pujara’s methodical technique, each reflecting their unique approach to batting in Test cricket.
Rahane is known for his footwork finesse and ability to dominate the bowling with brisk scoring, often employing daring shots to disrupt the bowlers’ rhythm. His technique is marked by a certain fluidity and the capacity to adapt quickly to different pitches and conditions.
Conversely, Pujara’s batting style is the epitome of patience and resilience, often serving as a bulwark against the opposition’s attack.
His defensive strategies are exemplary, as he meticulously weaves a web of concentration and discipline, rarely stepping out of his comfort zone to play an aggressive shot.
Pujara’s footwork, although less flashy than Rahane’s, is exceedingly precise and plays a crucial role in his ability to blunt the new ball and anchor the innings.
The following table encapsulates their differing batting styles:
Aspect
Ajinkya Rahane
Cheteshwar Pujara
Stroke-play
Aggressive
Methodical
Scoring Rate
Brisk
Steady
Footwork
Dynamic
Calculated
Defensive Approach
Adaptive
Fortified
An analytical review of their techniques indicates that Rahane’s flamboyance is as vital to his success as Pujara’s stoicism is to his. Each has carved a niche in Test cricket, underpinned by their distinctive approaches to batting.
Overseas Records Comparison
Examining their overseas performances, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have amassed a significant number of runs, highlighting their adaptability to foreign conditions.
Rahane’s overseas record is marked by several crucial innings that have often turned the tide in favor of the Indian team. His ability to play pivotal knocks in challenging conditions underlines his value to the team, particularly in places like Australia and England where the ball tends to seam and swing.
Pujara, on the other hand, has been a bastion of the Indian batting lineup, especially in the SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia).
His overseas record is characterized by marathon innings, reflecting his stoic approach and resilience. Known for his capacity to anchor the innings, Pujara’s contributions are often measured in terms of occupation of the crease and the impact it has on the opposition bowlers.
While personal rivalry might be an enticing narrative, both Rahane and Pujara have consistently emphasized team contributions above individual milestones.
Their records abroad substantiate their roles as vital cogs in the Indian cricket machinery, with performances that have not only defined matches but also contributed significantly to India’s rise in international cricket.
Impact and Consistency Analysis
The impact and consistency analysis of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara’s careers reveals a nuanced picture of their contributions to the Indian cricket team’s success.
Both have shown admirable skill and tenacity in their batting, often becoming the backbone of the team’s innings. Yet, their individual capabilities shine distinctly when scrutinized under the lens of Performance under pressure and Captaincy influence.
Performance under pressure: Rahane has often been lauded for his counter-attacking innings in challenging situations, especially overseas, which has turned the tide in India’s favor on multiple occasions. Pujara, on the other hand, is the epitome of resilience, his batting marathons wearing down opposition attacks and setting platforms for victories.
Captaincy influence: While Rahane’s stint as a captain has been brief, his leadership during the iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy series win in Australia highlighted his tactical acumen and ability to inspire teammates. Pujara, primarily a specialist batsman, has seldom been in leadership roles but remains a strategic asset within the team framework.
Both players have carved niches that underscore their value in the squad, with Rahane’s aggressive flair complementing Pujara’s stoic defense, painting a rich tapestry of skill and dependability that has served Indian cricket with distinction.
What’s Your Take on Ajinkya Rahane Vs Cheteshwar Pujara Stats Comparison?
In conclusion, the comparative analysis of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara reveals distinct career trajectories marked by individual strengths and challenges.
Both have significantly contributed to the Indian Test team, with nuanced differences in technique and style. Their overseas records underscore the adaptability and resilience required at the international level.
The impact and consistency of each player can be measured not only by statistics but also by their influence on the outcomes of numerous matches.