The Buzz: The day Cheteshwar Pujara became an allrounder
All the bantz, the jousts, and little bit of eavesdropping from the social media playground and beyond
ESPNcricinfo staff
23-Dec-2019
Cheteshwar Pujara can do it all • BCCI
All the world's cricketers walked into a bar. The LOLs, the chatter, and the occasional mini-brawls, they were endless. And the news cycle was never the same again! Welcome to ESPNcricinfo's Social Buzz, your go-to destination for all the bantz, the jousts, and little bit of eavesdropping from the social media playground and beyond.
December 28
Saurashtra lost their Ranji Trophy game to Uttar Pradesh by an innings, but Cheteshwar Pujara had something to take away from the experience, a rare first-class wicket, only his sixth in all these years - his average is a more-than-impressive 24.5, by the way. And then, his allrounder credentials established, he ran around celebrating Imran Tahir-like.
What's your name, Daniel?
The BBL has a wonderful tradition of players signing autographs for children, who come to the ground before play begins, but we had a fun moment of awkwardness at the Sydney derby when Sixers' Daniel Hughes ran out. The boy accepted the autograph, of course, but unfortunately didn't know who Hughes was. Time for the Sixers batsman to play an innings to remember. And yes, kids can be brutal.
Kids can be so brutal...
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 28, 2019
Dan Hughes out to make a name for himself tonight! #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/GAAcHgk5OW
December 27
Ashwin challenges Tania Sachdev to a game of chess
What do cricketers do in their downtime? Some of them play computer chess and apparently find it far too easy to be a challenge (Ed: ha ha, obviously, it's not a "Test"). When R Ashwin complained that playing against a computer was putting him to sleep and he needed more competition, International Master Tania Sachdev invited him to play with her. Ashwin decided to make the competition a little more even...
Wow that escalated I'm up for it! Bring it on https://t.co/RXW2QAv4LF
— Tania Sachdev (@TaniaSachdev) December 26, 2019
But what we're wondering is why Ashwin didn't first play a round with team-mate Yuzvendra Chahal, who told us no one in the Indian team can beat him in chess.
December 26
Smith, Labuschagne and the great gag gift
When Steve Smith is your Secret Santa pic.twitter.com/6gpeZXGVGW
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 26, 2019
Marnus Labuschagne totally ruined it though. You're supposed to get mad over a gag gift. It's basic comedy logic. But Labuschagne rounded up a few of his mates and played the silly board game (probably all night long).
Zampa and Stoinis' excellent shopping adventure
A contender for the greatest love story in cricket, Adam Zampa's and Marcus Stoinis' -Zoinis', if you will - bromance is one for the ages. The cheeky twosome aren't afraid of some public PDA, as they've shown in the past, and this video, of them going thrift store shopping with 100 AUD to spend, is the holiday cheer we need. Is there a better Christmas gift than Zamps in bum shorts?
Marcus Stoinis. Adam Zampa.
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 23, 2019
Op shopping together. Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/X41Vbo4qVp
December 25
The laws of backyard cricket, according to Aussie cricketers
'Tis the season for backyard cricket and the Australian team can't agree on the rules. Marnus Labuschagne is happy to play… so long as you don't have the one hand, one bounce rule. "Horrendous rule," he says. "You gotta pull in good cricket and this is pretty much the opposite of that." Marcus Stoinis' backyard cricket rules, meanwhile, include whatever you can make up on the spot if someone's batted for too long, and Shaun Marsh's feature shots that are both boundaries and out.
It's a big day for backyard cricketers around Australia today - and we can only hope your family members are as passionate about the Laws of Backyard Cricket as Marnus Labuschagne! pic.twitter.com/f5bQ6kcMRH
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 25, 2019
December 24
Jemimah Rodrigues has cricketers tongue-tied
Inveterate prankster and someone who really deserves her own show, India batsman Jemimah Rodrigues can get people to do anything. Witness her pit cricketers against each other in a tongue-twister-off while at a cricket camp in Bengaluru. Who wins, Punam Raut, Shikhar Dhawan or Smriti Mandhana?
December 23
How RCB bagged Aaron Finch at the IPL auction
If you watched that thrilling IPL auction a few days ago where big-name players went to franchises for record numbers, you'll know there was some serious strategy at play. How much? Here's a behind the scenes look at how Royal Challengers Bangalore bagged Aaron Finch. It's a bit of chess, a bit of poker, and a lot of practice. We'd totally watch a full-length movie on this. Wouldn't you?
Simon Katich and @CoachHesson had their planning spot on to get the Australian captain Aaron Finch at the #IPLAuction. We documented the mock auction to reveal a fascinating story.#BidForBold #PlayBold #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/96JYOSQwML
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 23, 2019
What weighs more - Pollard's bat or Chahal?
Yuzvendra Chahal didn't play any of the ODIs against West Indies, but he was still pretty busy. Here he's hefting Kieron Pollard's big bat. Referencing a Bollywood film dialogue, Chahal joked on Instagram that the 10kg bat was being held in 2.5kg arms.
Other players have previously teased Chahal about his diminutive frame. Last week, when he posted a photo from the squad's headshots session, England's Danielle Wyatt replied: "I think you're smaller than me."
Missed all the chatter last week? Catch up on it here.