India, Aug. 24 -- When Cheteshwar Pujara batted, you watched. Fascinated. Transfixed. Wide-eyed, open-mouthed. And not because he was a 'blink-and-you-miss-it' batter. You marvelled at the discipline and the self-control, at his obsession with batting, at the price he put on his scalp, at his control, his courage and character, at his unflappability, at his supreme disregard for physical discomfort, at his unmatched ability to ride shattering blows to body and limb. At his bloody-minded, pig-headed determination to protect his wicket, at all costs.

When Pujara batted, he brought the world to a standstill. His, and ours. Not because he thrilled and excited, but because he was relatable, he appeared capable of emulation (much like the man ...