Indian batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara had a great Test tour Down Under. He was leading run-scorer in the four-match Test series between Australia and India with 521 runs. He smashed three centuries and shunned up all his critics in style. There have been question marks over his slow batting in Tests but he put all the criticism to bed with his run-spree that was perhaps the difference between the two sides in the Australia Test series.
India’s Test no.3, Pujara pointed out Sachin Tendulkar to justify his batting style. “Obviously Tendulkar was a different player, he liked to dominate, but there have been other players who have played Test cricket the way it has been played. Even Tendulkar, when the situation demanded, has scored just 50 runs in 150 balls, so there is nothing wrong in that. You just need to understand what situation you are playing in and bat accordingly.”
Pujara also reflected on the fact that his batting has found great acceptance ever since the Australia Test series. He said he always kept believing in his abilities than worrying about the talks regarding his intent and strike-rate.
“People have realized what’s required to perform well in Test cricket. People started appreciating the way I was batting, not just the Indian team management.Everyone has realized that there are different methods of playing this format. And because of white ball cricket, there’ve been players who’ve been playing many shots … they’ve been very aggressive. I still respect that. When talk about intent and strike rate was going on, I just kept believing in myself, in my ability. I actually don’t get worried about what people are saying. Sometimes you just need to do the right thing for the team,” said Pujara.