EXCLUSIVE
Follow UsPerhaps, no one was more disappointed than Cheteshwar Pujara with the news of the postponement of the Indian Premier League 2021. One of the batting greats of India in Test cricket, Pujara was looking forward to make a mark in the IPL this season. The 33-year-old hoped that playing under MS Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings could transform his T20 career. However, that was not the case as the Saurashtra batsman didn’t get an opportunity in any of the seven games Chennai played.
But, Pujara has now moved on to focus on what could be the biggest match of his career - the World Test Championship final. “That will be a huge game for all of us because we have worked very hard to reach there. Each Test series was very important for us which has taken us to England for the final. This team has shown that we have got the tremendous potential and hopefully, we will do well in the final as we have been doing in Test cricket for a long time,” says Pujara in an exclusive chat with Cricket.com.
Among the senior players from the Indian contingent, perhaps no one is more desperate to play in this first-ever Test championship final than Pujara. For all his success, he has never featured in the final of any ICC trophy. While captain Virat Kohli and R Ashwin were part of the 2011 ODI World cup winning team, Rohit Sharma was a key member of the 2007 T20 World cup winning side. “It’s a dream for all of us because WTC is indeed the World Cup of Test format and we all would like to win this trophy,” says Pujara.
Since the white ball performances always get more attention in the social media among modern fans, very few care to remember what Pujara brings to the table in the red-ball format. He scored his 6000th Test run on the last tour of Australia. Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Kohli are the few players to reach the milestone quicker than Pujara for India.
“Of course, it is a great feeling when you get to know about such milestones but I don’t pay much attention to stats since I always think about what is my role for the team and how can I help in winning matches and I try to play accordingly. There is a still lot to achieve in my career and there is no need to focus much on milestones because it will keep happening if I continue to do well for my country,” says Pujara with a typical modesty.
But, why is he not active on social media? Doesn’t harm anyone to market oneself if one has some solid accomplishments? “My focus is always on the game but at the same time, I am also active on social media. Every individual is different. If something is helping me not to get distracted from my cricket, it’s a positive thing. If you want to play Test cricket, you got to be disciplined, there are no two ways about it and you have to maintain a routine,” explains Pujara.
Winning a Test series in Australia was always considered a Mission Impossible for Team India. However, the Australians were stunned by the back-to-back series defeats by the Indians in 2018 and 2021. And Pujara was the only constant performer in both the wins.
“Any tour of Australia is always a big challenge and very important for us. In that sense, the 2018 win was the most special. And then of course our last series win was also very special because the team was relatively weak as some of the senior players were not there and some of them were injured and not available for all the matches. As a team, it was a huge achievement and personally it was very satisfying,” reflects India’s No.3 in Test cricket.
Pujara was the highest run-getter (521 runs) in the 2018 tour. In 2021, his 271 runs were equally priceless. “Fortunately for me, whatever I had planned for those tours did click. Australia is one of the best teams. Their bowling attack is one of the best in world cricket and doing well against them gives you some pride but you can’t be sitting on past laurels. You have to start afresh for a new challenge,” says Pujara.
Indeed, Pujara will have to start afresh for the upcoming tour of England. Besides the WTC final, he is expected to play five more Test matches against England. Having played nine Tests in England where he has an average of around 30, Pujara clearly knows the importance of the upcoming matches. What can be pleasing for him is that his only Test hundred in England has come at Southampton where India will be playing the final against New Zealand.
Of late, what has been particularly pleasing for Pujara is that he is comfortable in his own role and no longer is compared with some of the hard hitters like Rishabh Pant. “Team management has always backed me for my role. Every player has to play according to his strength. Especially away from home which is most important because you have to negotiate the challenges of the new ball. My role is clear that top order shouldn’t lose too many wickets and that is what I try to achieve. At the same time, (the likes of) Rishabh sticks to his strength. The team is only successful when roles are defined clearly and everyone is doing what he is expected to do. It’s always about collective effort.”
India’s staggering series win in Australia earlier this year also underlined the fact that this team doesn’t miss any individual even if they happen to be as big as Kohli or Bumrah. There are many options for each slot across the formats which is a great sign for Indian cricket. But as a player does it sometimes make one insecure in the sense that what if I fail in a couple of matches?
“As an individual, if you think like that you can’t be successful. Competition is always good and bench strength is also very important. We have the challenges of different formats, injuries and so many matches being played these days. As a player, if you want to be successful, you have to play well consistently. Whenever there is a competition, you will keep getting better,” signs off Pujara.
