Pujara vs Samaraweera

[Fuller Pilch]

Mahela is much better than Pujara.

Apart from Aravinda, most SL bats seem underrated on CW.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Mathews won a test series for SL in England
He batted through a whole day with Kusal Mendis to save a game (thanks to rain) against NZ.

Pujara's 132 at Southampton was a top tier innings

 

[Johan]

54 in 2000s is like 45-46 today honestly

also, Pujara was also averaged 51 before decline.

 

[BazBall21]

Mathews won a test series for SL in England
He batted through a whole day with Kusal Mendis to save a game (thanks to rain) against NZ.

Obviously significant work but Pujara 2018/19&2020/21 was against a better attack than 2014 England. Mathews also came in at 170-4 for the decisive hundred which is a bit different to batting at 3 (effectively opening given India's opener struggles on both tours) v Cummins and Hazlewood.

SL were only 3 down at Basin Reserve with 80 odd overs remaining if there was no rain. I think they could have saved the match without help from the weather Gods. NZ wickets sometimes don't deteriorate.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

SL were only 3 down at Basin Reserve with 80 odd overs remaining if there was no rain. I think they could have saved the match without help from the weather Gods. NZ wickets sometimes don't deteriorate.

Perhaps, but Wagner was great at putting the pitch out of the equation and then one brings 2...

 

[BazBall21]

Perhaps, but Wagner was great at putting the pitch out of the equation and then one brings 2...

Yeah sure. I just don't think it's an absolute certainty. Especially as New Zealand would have also needed some runs which wastes more time.

 

[MasterBlaster24]

Pujara was also a great player of spin before he fell away. Better on turning tracks than Kohli I think. Before his decline I'd have certainly gone with CP because him and Mahela were both top drawer in Asia and Pujara's work in Australia was/is a cut above anything Mahela has in those parts.

However, Mahela's batting prowess at home cannot be disregarded either. We also need to account for things like longevity.

 

[BazBall21]

However, Mahela's batting prowess at home cannot be disregarded either. We also need to account for things like longevity.

Mahela aged better at home and has some magnificent match winning performances on rank turners. His record at Galle is great.

 

[Johan]

Mahela and Pujara are about the same level for me, slight edge to Pujara if anything

 

[MasterBlaster24]

Mahela aged better at home and has some magnificent match winning performances on rank turners. His record at Galle is great.

Indeed, one of the greatest innings I have ever witnessed was his 180 against England at Galle in 2012.

 

[ImpatientLime]

Indeed, one of the greatest innings I have ever witnessed was his 180 against England at Galle in 2012.

very good indeed. versus an attack that just a few months later went and slapped up india in their home conditions.

 

[Migara]

Pujara was also a great player of spin before he fell away. Better on turning tracks than Kohli I think. Before his decline I'd have certainly gone with CP because him and Mahela were both top drawer in Asia and Pujara's work in Australia was/is a cut above anything Mahela has in those parts.

Mahela is in top 5-8 players of spin cricket has ever seen. Not flashy as Sehwag, Sidhu, Lara or Azhar, but his defence, little dabs, late cuts, sweeps, short runs makes him one of the best ever against spin.

 

[BazBall21]

Mahela is in top 5-8 players of spin cricket has ever seen. Not flashy as Sehwag, Sidhu, Lara or Azhar, but his defence, little dabs, late cuts, sweeps, short runs makes him one of the best ever against spin.

No doubt.