Cheteshwar Pujara Unfazed By Strike Rate Buzz
Jul 3, 2017 at 1:51 PM
The recent home season for the Virat Kohli-led Indian side was a memorable affair, with the team registering thumping wins over New Zealand, England and Australia. Throughout the run of the 13 home Tests, one batsman who stood out was the ever reliable, calm and super composed, Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara played some significant knocks, which turned out to be series-deciding events, like his impeccable 92 at Bangalore, when no one gave India a chance in the second innings.
In the very next game, India looked in some trouble at Ranchi in the first innings, before Pujara’s record breaking double ton, which lasted over 500 deliveries saved the day for India. Amidst such superb batting displays, Pujara was often questioned for his low strike rate, with several critics feeling that he hindered the momentum.
With India now set to tour Sri Lanka for a three-match Test series later this month, the India number three spoke to TOI in an interview and maintained that pre-planning your strike rate in Tests was far from an ideal aspect.
“When it comes to Test cricket, you need to read the situation and plan things accordingly,” said Pujara. “You can’t decide in advance that you will play at a strike rate of 60 or 70. You just need to take into account the team situation and see how the pitch is playing. As a batting unit, we have a game plan and always look to stick to that.”
Pujara added that since most of the current Test team members have toured Australia, England and South Africa in the past, the experience of the previous tours would come in handy.
“We have played excellent Test cricket over the last one year. We know each other really well and are really close as a unit. So, even when we go overseas, I think we are quite strong. Now, we are experienced because many of us have played in South Africa, England and Australia,” he said.
“We would like to capitalise on that and show that we can be competitive overseas as well. It’s always important to play well away from home, but I don’t think there should be any pressure on any of us. We have done really well at home recently and would just like to carry the momentum in the coming months,” Pujara said.