LIKE CHALLENGE OF SCORING BIG, SAYS PUJARA

GALLE: In this team of ‘millionaires’, Cheteshwar Pujara is a safe accumulator. The joy he derives from every run he scores is there for all to see.

The contrast in the batting styles of Shikhar Dhawan and Pujara made for some very interesting viewing. Making a comeback after a long time, Dhawan still batted with typical flamboyance, while Pujara --- despite knowing that runs were there for the taking --- played safe. The reward was handsome: 253 runs. Pujara’s conversion rate is another proof of his hunger for runs --- it was the sixth time in 12 hundreds, he has converted a century into a 150-plus score.

“I love my batting, so whenever I get the opportunity to score runs, or do something on the field, I always like the challenge,” he said after the second day’s play on Thursday.

“When you’re playing at the international level, it doesn’t matter whether the wicket is flat or there is some assistance for the bowlers. You always want to score big runs and put up a big total,” added Pujara.

TAKING UP CHALLENGE

Pujara, however, said he derived more satisfaction in conquering challenging pitches. Naturally, he rated his hundred in the final Test of the 2015 series at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, higher than the 153 here.

“You always want to perform well on challenging pitches. Especially when I got my 145 at SSC. That particular wicket was more challenging than this one. When you score a hundred on such wickets, it is more satisfying than this one. But when you are doing a job for the team, I always enjoy scoring hundreds. When you are playing Test cricket, and if you have an opportunity to score a hundred, you might as well score more than 100,” said Pujara.

Having reduced Sri Lanka to 154-5, India have the game in their grasp, felt Pujara.