Never thought about playing 100 Test matches

In 99 Tests heading into the Delhi game, he has scored 7021 runs at a median of 44.15, with 19 a whole bunch and 34 fifties. Enjoying a whole bunch Assessments is a large achievement, which will be gauged by the truth that he shall be solely the thirteenth participant from India to succeed in the landmark.

In his personal understated method, although, Pujara downplayed the achievement. The workhorse from Saurashtra simply needs to maintain performing in each sport he performs for India. Reflecting on his journey to 100 Assessments, Pujara mentioned at a pre-match press convention, “After I began taking part in cricket and made my debut, I by no means thought of taking part in 100 Take a look at matches. For me, it’s at all times about being within the current and never pondering too far forward.

“For me, it was simply the final sport once I thought in all probability earlier than this collection began – that’s once I realized that I’d be taking part in my one hundredth Take a look at match. In a profession, you at all times undergo ups and downs. It’s important to struggle via these intervals, however for me, I by no means thought I’d play 100 Take a look at matches. I’ve at all times been a participant who needs to do properly in each Take a look at match and Take a look at collection,” he added.

The No. 3 batter is thought for his resilience and battling it out below essentially the most tense of circumstances. He not often seems to be flustered even clearly in opposition to the wall. During the last three years, when his kind took a dip, there have been phases when he needed to face excessive criticism. Pujara credited his father (Arvind Pujara) for mentoring him and guiding him in his journey.

Opening up on what taking part in 100 Assessments means to his household, Pujara admitted, “It means loads to me and even to my household. My father has performed an important function in my cricketing journey. He’s somebody who has coached me since my childhood. So, he’s very excited. He’s going to be right here tomorrow (Friday).

“Even my spouse has been very supportive. In a cricketer’s life, household help is essential. I’m very grateful to my household, my mates, and the coaches I’ve labored with for over some time. They’ve performed an vital function in my cricketing profession,” the batter continued.

On how he handled the robust part when he was dropped from the Take a look at facet, Pujara admitted that it was difficult. On the identical time, he asserted that he’s at all times eager to enhance and stored engaged on his sport to make a comeback, which he did fairly quickly.

Pujara defined, “A very powerful half is you want to be mentally robust. You should consider in your self. It is best to know your power as a participant. And that was one thing that I backed all through my profession. That’s one thing that has given me success. I knew that if I had success within the first five-seven years due to what I had performed, I can’t change my sport.

“Sure, you’ll be able to at all times fine-tune, you’ll be able to at all times add a number of photographs to your sport. However you’ll be able to’t change solely as a result of different gamers play white-ball cricket, and their type of play is barely totally different. So one has to know that. Each participant has their type. A very powerful factor I’ve realized over time is that one wants to stay to their strengths.”

–By A Cricket Correspondent