Of all the things that went right in the Test series opener against New Zealand, Cheteshwar Pujara’s transformation from an obdurate accumulator of runs to a free-scoring batsman when needed must be the most pleasing for India captain Virat Kohli. In a team teeming with flamboyant strokemakers, Pujara’s batting, built on a watertight defence and an unflappable temperament, is almost an anachronism. India’s Test No 3 feels he has no obligation to quench the boundary-thirst of the home fans and believes defence is the best offence. Rather unsurprisingly, the 29-year-old went unsold in the players’ auction for the Indian Premier…
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