England vs India 2018: Three players who repaid Kohli's faith

#2 Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara is a very important player to team India's cause. The fragility of the Indian middle order in overseas conditions is well known. Pujara adds solidity to this batting line up and it was imperative for him to get back to form.

Pujara was always spending time in the middle. All he wanted was a good score to help his confidence. The 72 runs he scored in the second innings did not just that, but also in the process knocked England out of the game.

In the second innings, Pujara started with 25 off 26 balls. He shared a 51 run second wicket stand with Dhawan and followed it with a 113 run stand with Kohli for the third wicket. India did not lose a wicket in the first session of the third day, and they can thank Pujara's innings for that.

Nobody can play the grinding game as good as Pujara. He faced 208 balls for his 72 and some can call this slow. But in the context of the game, this innings was crucial. The England bowlers were made to work hard. The players on the field became tired. His innings made the English drained physically and mentally.

Pujara should not be criticized for the pace at which he plays. His role in the side is to do exactly that. And he is at his best only when he is playing that way.