India’s number 3 batsman in Test cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara is one of the most technically correct batsmen in the world. He is an old-fashioned cricketer, who gives utmost importance to Test cricket.
In the ongoing series between Sri Lanka and India, Cheteshwar Pujara scored a brilliant hundred in the first of the 3 Tests and helped India take 1-0 lead in the series.
In an interview with bcci.tv, Pujara spoke about the excitement of playing his 50th Test,
“It has been a wonderful journey so far. Playing the 50th Test match for the country will be a proud moment for me. Yes, there have been ups and downs but looking at my recent (good) form, I will be keen to score some runs in my 50th Test,” said Pujara.
Pujara also revealed the most challenging phase of his career so far.
“Getting injured was the most challenging time of my career. I was out for six months due to a knee injury and then again in 2011, when I was out for another six months. Overall, I wasn’t able to play for a year, which was really tough on me,” Pujara recalled those early days of hardship.
“When you get injured, you need to get that rhythm going for you again as your concentration goes down. Injury was the toughest part of my career but now I have come out of it and I am working hard on my fitness,” he added.
He also spoke about the time when he took Rahul Dravid’s advice.
“There was nothing wrong with my technique because after that I spoke to Rahul (Dravid) bhai, who just told me that you should continue the way you have been playing. I just trusted my game, worked hard on it and I was just one innings away,” said Pujara.
Interestingly, Pujara revealed that his father is best and worst critic.
“My father has always been my best and worst critic. At times, he has been very critical but now we have come to an understanding, where we always speak and we come to a conclusion. And he is not very strict anymore,” Pujara revealed.
