Cheteshwar Pujara remains optimistic about reclaiming his spot in the Indian Test team and believes that strong performances in first-class cricket will be instrumental in achieving his comeback. Earlier this year, Pujara was sidelined from the national team for the West Indies tour due to his underwhelming performance in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia.
The 35-year-old cricketer emphasized his focus on controlling aspects within his reach. In an interview with Sussex Cricket, Pujara stated, “I always try and control the things which I can. It’s always about getting as many runs as possible in whatever games I play.”
He expressed his ongoing ambition to regain his place in the Indian team, highlighting that once he starts amassing more runs in first-class matches, his return to the squad will be imminent. Pujara added, “I am still in the scheme of things. So, I hope that the moment I start scoring more runs in first-class games, I will be back in the team. But I will try and be in present, try and take one game at a time.”
A trademark performance. ™@cheteshwar1 💯 pic.twitter.com/sahKTzqyO9
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) August 11, 2023
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Cheteshwar Pujara’s recent performance for Sussex showcased his determination. On August 11, he scored an unbeaten 117 off 113 balls, including 11 fours, against Somerset in the England One Day Cup. His remarkable innings played a pivotal role in Sussex’s four-wicket victory, as they successfully chased down a target of 319 with 11 balls to spare.
Looking ahead, India is scheduled to face South Africa in a two-Test series starting from December 26, following the recent Test series against West Indies. Pujara, however, prefers to remain grounded and focus on his ongoing commitments with Sussex. He stated, “We are not going to play any more Test matches in the next two to three months. The next Test series is in South Africa in December. So, there is a long way to go.”
Pujara’s journey has seen fluctuations, including being dropped after Tests against South Africa last year. He made a strong comeback, propelled by an exceptional season for Sussex in the County Championship Division 2. This resurgence stands as a testament to his dedication and skill on the cricket field.
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