Pujara confident after Duleep Trophy runs
India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has said his centuries in the recent Duleep Trophy, particularly the unbeaten knock of 256, were what he needed to tune up for the Tests against New Zealand, which get underway from September 22. Pujara's performances came shortly after India had dropped him from a Test during the preceding tour of West Indies, to accommodate five bowlers and Rohit Sharma in the XI.
Pujara scored 166, 31 and 256 not out for India Blue in the Duleep Trophy, following a disappointing tour of West Indies. The double-century came in the final of the Duleep Trophy and led India Blue to a 355-run win over India Red. The unbeaten 256 was also his 10th first-class double-century, putting him on par with Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid, among Indian batsmen with the most 200-plus scores. Only Vijay Merchant has more: 11.
"I would agree to the fact that the Duleep Trophy double-century was a sort of an innings that I needed before the start of a Test series," Pujara told the BCCI website. "Actually the 166 that I scored in my first game of the tournament was the turning point. That innings brought in me the confidence. Having said that, I feel I was batting well in West Indies as well, especially in the second game where I scored 46 runs and got run out the moment I was about to accelerate.
"I did get disappointed but I never let my confidence down. I knew it was just a matter of time. I am in a positive frame of mind after the Duleep Trophy. Those runs will definitely help me in the upcoming series against New Zealand. I don't think I need to worry much about my batting now. I just need to stay focused."
Pujara had scored 16 and 46 in the first two Tests against West Indies, before being dropped for the St Lucia Test. He was picked for the fourth Test but rain and a wet outfield meant India did not bat in the draw. At the toss in St Lucia, India captain Virat Kohli had indicated that Pujara's rate of scoring could have been a factor in his exclusion. India's coach Anil Kumble, however, was emphatic in his support for Pujara, saying the Saurashtra batsman was important for India's Test success. Kumble admitted that it was "not good" that a "sword is always hanging on his head."
Pujara said it was difficult to score big runs all the time, but when such occasions occurred, he backed himself to return to the nets and motivate himself to rediscover his form.
"It is not easy to score big runs all the time and there will be times when you score a handy 70 or 80 that would be helpful for the team," he said. "Those knocks might not get appreciated but from the team's perspective you have done your job. I want to score runs that can help the team's cause and if I have done that, I will be satisfied.
"When I don't score big, I do get disappointed. At the same time, I have to be realistic to assess the situation and conditions. I need to tell myself that, 'Look you have tried your best but the runs didn't come.' In that case I will always go back to nets and work on my game, improve and tell myself that the next game I am going to get a big one."
The ability to score big runs, Pujara said, had fascinated him from his time as a young player, and he began working on it as early as his Under-14 days. Two of his seven Test hundreds are double-centuries and he has scored three triple-centuries in first-class cricket, one of only two Indian players to do so.
"I always had the habit of scoring big runs right from my Under-14 days. From U-14, I continued that habit in my U-19 game and then displayed the same in Ranji Trophy as well, scoring triple-centuries," he said. "Once I start scoring big runs, I get my natural game back and I am more confident. I have an improved concentration, I am more focused and I see the ball better. I feel once I score big runs or reach a 200-run-mark, I have a different feeling. Scoring runs and scoring big has always fascinated me since childhood.
"When I am on a big score, it is there to see that the team has a big score on the board. We as a team believe that if we have an opportunity to put close to 600 runs on the board, then you never allow the opposition to comeback in the game. That is the prime reason why there is stress on converting your hundreds into big hundreds. Personally, I don't like to get out cheaply and for that matter nobody does. But if I have just reached a hundred, I am in a zone where I understand I can play freely and what pace I have to accelerate."
Pujara also said he enjoyed the pressure that came with batting at No. 3, as it played to his strength of a tight technique.
"I wouldn't say I would look to cement a particular batting position. I obviously love batting at number three and I have batted at the top order right from the beginning in first-class cricket. I have lot of experience playing at No.3," he said. "Even for the Indian team, I have scored most runs batting at that position. I love batting there because it puts me under a bit of pressure but helps me be responsible. My strength is my technique. If you are technically correct, you can overcome challenges and situations when the ball is moving or turning. When you want to lay a foundation for a big score, the top order has to succeed. I do feel I fit in a good role for that purpose."