Cheteshwar Pujara emphasized a gradual and focused approach towards reclaiming his spot in the Indian Test cricket team. Despite being sidelined for the West Indies tour following a lackluster performance in the World Test Championship final against Australia earlier this year, the 35-year-old cricketer remains hopeful of a resurgence.
Pujara’s determination centers around his commitment to excel in first-class cricket, viewing it as the pathway to his reintegration into the national side.
In an interview with Sussex Cricket, Pujara stated, “My strategy is to exert control over the aspects within my reach. I channel my efforts into amassing runs during the games I partake in. I still feature prominently in the team’s plans. Hence, I believe that once I consistently contribute with runs in first-class matches, my reentry into the Indian Test team will be imminent. However, I am resolute in remaining grounded, focusing on one game at a time.”
Pujara’s recent performance with Sussex underscores his determination, as he notched an impressive 117 not out off 113 deliveries, including 11 boundaries, against Somerset in the England One Day Cup. This substantial contribution aided Sussex in securing a victory by four wickets while chasing down a target of 319, with 11 balls to spare.
A trademark performance. ™@cheteshwar1 💯 pic.twitter.com/sahKTzqyO9
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) August 11, 2023
Looking ahead, India is scheduled to engage with South Africa in a Test series beginning on December 26. Pujara, however, is concentrating on his ongoing engagement with Sussex, steering clear of thoughts about the distant future.
“The upcoming months do not entail Test matches for us. The subsequent Test series is in South Africa, slated for December. Consequently, the journey ahead is extensive,” Pujara remarked.
Pujara’s journey has been marked by ups and downs, with his exclusion from the Indian Test team following the South Africa Tests last year. Nonetheless, his remarkable performances for Sussex in the County Championship Division 2 earned him a remarkable comeback.
Pujara’s unwavering commitment to consistent success in the realm of first-class cricket echoes his determination to seize another opportunity on the international stage.
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