Not Virat Kohli or Joe Root, Pujara picks this Pakistan batter who plays spin better than him

New Delhi: Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara picks former Pakistan batter Younis Khan as the only player who better plays spin than him surpassing contemporary stars such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson in the Test. In one of the videos uploaded on social media by ESPNcricinfo, Pujara was asked to select those players who were more capable than him against spin. In response to Pujara after referring to the name of Joe Root of England, he replied with a simple word Maybe.

Pujara was then challenged with the name of Virat Kohli, to which he responded, “I would say par, in terms of stats, his numbers suggest that he is a good player of spin.”

Names of players like Steve Smith and Kane Williamson’s names were not enough to change Pujara’s mind and said, “They have scored runs against India; the numbers are good. It is hard to compare myself when it comes to spin, but they are good players.”

When Younis Khan’s name came up, Pujara finally admitted. “I would have to say he is better than me.”

Younis Khan owned red ball format over spinners as he always used to demonstrate his perfect stroke play technique and aggression. He has made an incredible 4449 runs in 151 innings with an amazing average of 75.40 being dismissed only 59 times.

Virat Kohli has registered 3938 runs in 151 innings against spin, at an average and a strike rate of 55.46 and 57.03 respectively. Still active nowadays, his compatriot Steve Smith made 4083 runs in the 161 innings with the average proportion of 60.94 after being removed 67 times.

Kane Williamson, on the other hand, made 3784 runs averaging 65.24 being dismissed in 58 instances in 134 innings. In the meantime, Joe Root, the top run getter in Test for England, has 4957 runs in 209 innings at average of 60.45 with 82 wickets lost.

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