Acquired patience by playing longer format since age of 13: Cheteshwar Pujara

DHARAMSALA: Virat Kohli is epitome of swagger, KL Rahul’s strokeplay embodies lazy elegance but it is patience that is Cheteshwar Pujara’s second name which he has earned through his grind from the age of 13.

“I think when it comes to patience, it is all hard work. I started playing cricket at the age of 8 and then I played first (representative) game for the state team at the age of 13. Since then, I have been playing this format and I think it’s the experience of playing domestic circuit and working hard, day in and day out is paying off now,” said Pujara.

The Saurasthtra batsman had faced the maximum deliveries by an Indian batsman in a single Test innings. With 348 runs, Pujara has been head and shoulders above other Indian batsmen and he feels that when he is in the midst of a long innings, he can attain zen like calm.

“I can say that at times, I am in that zone where things are happening for me because of that experience, because I know how to do things, how to continue batting and how to continue concentrating for a longer periods of time. I don’t really think when I am batting out there in the middle. I try and keep my mind really blank.”

“Mentally, I think you just have to be up for it. When you are tired, you just have to motivate yourself and the ultimate goal is to win matches for the team and win this particular series.”

Pujara has now been upgraded among the ‘Elite 7’ of Indian cricket team after being promoted in the top bracket of Central Contracts. But right now, he does not want to talk about it. “It’s good to be recognised but at the same time. We are in the middle of a series and I don’t want to really think about the contract. We have an important game coming up and I would still like to focus on the game and prepare well.”

Dharamsala wicket will help fast bowlers but Pujara is not really worried as most of the members have played a lot of cricket over here.

“It looks like a good wicket. I think we have played a lot of cricket in Dharamsala. We have played enough first-class cricket to know the conditions. We will just try and look at things which we want to focus on rather than worrying about how the wicket will play. We have played enough on different pitches throughout the season.”