Cheteshwar Pujara reminds me of Inzamam-ul-Haq: Michael Vaughan

The Indian fans were left worried for a brief while on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test match between India and England as Cheteshwar Pujara, who was in the middle of a phenomenal partnership along with Rohit Sharma, twisted his ankle while taking a single at the non-striker’s end.

Pujara went down in pain and immediately received attention with the Indian Physio coming into the field. He examined Pujara’s ankle carefully and taped it up. The Indian batsman was up after that and able to stand and walk on his feet as well, without any discomfort whatsoever.

Watching the whole episode unfold, former England captain Michael Vaughan said that Pujara has traits similar to former Pakistan captain and batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq.

“From knowing Pujara a bit from his time at Yorkshire, he’s a bit like me and I wouldn’t say that fielding is high up on his list of priorities. It’ll be an injury in that ankle that if there’s any prospect of him taking a bit of time off the field, he will take it. There’s a few around who used to be like that, Inzamam is one who comes to mind,” Vaughan said on the BBC Test Match Special.

The match looks headed for a draw with one more day of play remaining. England ended Day 4 on a score of 77/0, chasing a target of 368 runs set by India. Haseeb Hameed was unbeaten on 43 whereas Rory Burns had a score of 31 to his name.

Earlier in the match, Shardul Thakur once again played a match-defining knock for India as he smashed 60 runs off just 72 balls. Rishabh Pant returned to form with a fighting 50 to his name as well. The duo recorded a 100-run stand for the seventh wicket and strengthened India’s grip on the match.

“It just feels that this England attack is very similar. It’s a concern when the ball’s not moving around that much as a batter you can’t get used to it. Everything’s almost the same pace. There isn’t a go-to bowler to rough Pujara up,” Vaughan added.