Out-of-favor Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara has voiced his determination to make a strong comeback if given a chance in the upcoming five-match Test series against England, set to take place from June to August this year.
The 37-year-old last featured in the longest format during the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, where India suffered a 209-run defeat. Team India has endured a string of disappointing Test series results.
They were whitewashed 3-0 at home by New Zealand, followed by a 3-1 defeat to Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. Moreover, for the first time, they failed to secure a spot in the WTC final.
As part of the new WTC cycle (2025-27), India will kick off their campaign with a five-match away series against England. Speaking ahead of the series at the RevSportz Trailblazers 3.0 Conclave on Thursday, March 6, Pujara reiterated his eagerness to make a strong return if given the opportunity. He stated:
“I’m playing domestic cricket. If given a chance, I’m ready to grab it with both hands. The hunger is even more. When you are older, you need to work even harder.”
Meanwhile, he highlighted India’s strong bowling attack and stressed the need for batters to step up for a series win.
“We have the bowling. We need to put runs on the board. And we have the players to do that. We have to respect the bowling and the conditions. I won’t say that we don’t have a chance,” he added.
The right-handed batter last played in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, amassing 402 runs in seven matches at an average of 40.20, with a century and a half-century to his name.
Cheteshwar Pujara has scored 19 Test centuries for India
Cheteshwar Pujara debuted in Test cricket for India against Australia in 2010 and has since accumulated experience across 103 matches. Representing Saurashtra, he has compiled 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, registering 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries.
In England, Pujara has played 16 Tests, scoring 870 runs at a modest average of 29, including five half-centuries and a single hundred.
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