Cheteshwar Pujara opens up about his preparation for IPL 2021
Cheteshwar Pujara
|| India Correspondent ||
Cheteshwar Pujara is one of the best batsmen in Test cricket but he has not had much success in the shortest format of the game so far. However, he will soon make a comeback into the IPL this year in 2021 and will represent the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.
However, in a recent interview with Cricinfo, Pujara opens up about not being picked for years in the IPL auctions, the perception that people have of him and his vision for CSK as well. Notably, he went unsold in every auction for a long. He said that he was not sure of being selected in 2021 either but he was confident that if given a chance he would do well even in the T20 format.
"It's like every other year where I feel that I just want to put my name. And when I get an opportunity, I will be up for it. Deep down I know that I can do it. It’s still a game of cricket where you have a lot of strengths. When you are playing Test cricket, you know a lot about the game: the technical aspect, the thought process, the amount of time you have to put in to be successful in that ultimate form of the game. When your thought process or your environment is about cricket, then it is just about adapting to the format," he said.
When he was asked about how the public thinks that he can only play Tests and was not a T20 batsman affected him as well.
Pujara said, "See, it’s not their fault. It is not about getting hurt. I feel that it is about being ready for the opportunity whenever it comes. They don’t know whether I’m good or not good, because in last few years I haven’t been seen playing T20 cricket. For example, if someone hasn’t played any Test cricket in last four or five years, you can’t say he is good or bad because he hasn’t played. So just by seeing the way I play in Test cricket you can’t pass judgement about whether I’ll be good or not be good at the shorter format."
However, Pujara was bought by Chennai Super Kings and the veteran has said that he was looking forward to working with Michael Hussey and Stephen Fleming – the Batting Coach and Head Coach of CSK this season as well.
"Absolutely. I’m really pleased that what I’ve done for the Indian team is noticed and I got results for that. I was told when I was picked, all the franchises clapped in the auction room. I feel that when you are doing something for the Indian team, people love it, they know the value I bring in. Not just the franchises, almost all my team-mates were really happy for me. Last few years I’m the only one who has been missing out on playing in the IPL from the Indian team," he expressed.
"Yes. I remember Fleming’s century against South Africa in the 2003 World Cup. It is one of the best ODI innings I have seen. It looked like he didn’t take too many risks, but he was still going at a rate where it looked like he was in a different zone. The way Hussey and I look to play is quite similar. I will get a lot of inputs from him because the way he used to play, most of them were cricketing shots," he shared.
However, he also revealed his first goal for CSK where he said that he will ensure that CSK will qualify for the playoffs in this edition.
"First goal is, CSK should qualify for the playoffs whether I play or don’t play. As an individual I want to get better at this format, learn as many things as possible and be confident. I am trying out a few things in my batting, which I want to discuss with the coaches and Mahi bhai and keep working on that so I can get results, which will be the most pleasing thing. I am not a person whose expectations are too high. I am a person who wants to put in whatever efforts I can," Pujara concluded.
