I Will Improve My Batting Against Australia, Says Cheteshwar Pujara
Jan 11, 2017 at 8:18 PM
The Indian top-order Cheteshwar Pujara has stated that he has learned from the past mistakes and has urged to improve his batting at home in the 4-match Test series against Australia in what is expected to be a gruelling encounter scheduled from February 23.
“I would look to continue the same form. Probably try and do even better than whatever I did against New Zealand and England. I have learnt from the mistakes which I did during these series and continue the good things which I have done in the previous two series,” Pujara said while speaking on the sidelines of the 13th DY Patil Twenty20 Cup, playing for Indian Oil.
The 28-year-old Pujara, who plays for Saurashtra in first-class cricket, believes Australia series would be a tough challenge as player’s perspective.
“Australia will be obviously challenging but we are playing as a team (and) have done well against New Zealand and England, particularly England was a tough team to beat, and we were playing a five-Test match series, which is always tough. So the way we played in the last year, we should continue doing the same thing,” Pujara added.
Pujara expressed that they’ll be pushing to do good against visiting Australia after achieving some good results against visiting England and New Zealand.
“It depends a lot (on the mindset). And I don’t think there was anything wrong with my technique or strike rate when I didn’t perform to the potential,” Pujara said.
India has recently trounced England 4-0 in the five-match Test series after beating New Zealand 3-0 in September last year.
“I am back in form, I did well against New Zealand and England, so both the Test series went well. Even the shorter format of this game, I did well in a few T20 games here and whatever games I have played this year, I have performed well. I am happy with the way things are going,” Pujara remarked.
Pujara hailed India A, Under-19 coach and former Indian middle-order veteran Rahul Dravid for encouraging youngsters and giving them best of the lessons for flawed techniques.
“When I was out of form and worked with him (Dravid), he had few thoughts about how I can improve and he told me that there is nothing wrong with your technique and your game. So he has been encouraging young players like me and his guidance has always been helpful for all young players,” he said.
Pujara, who averages 49.33 in Test career, has also praised his national side skipper Virat Kohli, who has been the great all-round performer for the team while leading the side from the front.
“I don’t want to discuss much his captaincy. But his fitness, the kind of fitness he has and the way he performs as a captain, he leads from the front,” Pujara said on Kohli.
Pujara who has played 43 Tests for India has expressed while working on his shorter format of the game and has reiterated for the success in understanding the game.
“Basically it’s always about expressing yourself. It’s (about) understanding the format and playing some shots, which I have already started for which I have already got success,” Pujara concluded.