By Monojit Mandal
SHILLONG: India’s upcoming tour Down Under at the end of this year is one of the most eagerly-awaited cricket series in a long time.
It is going to be India’s first international series post lockdown and that too against a team like Australia.
The last time India toured Australia was in 2018-19 and made history, registering their maiden Test series win in Australia, beating the hosts 2-1 in the four-match series. This time, however, India are scheduled to play a three-match T20I series, three-match ODI series and four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series, including a pink-ball Test; on Australian soil and for obvious reasons, it is not expected to be a piece of cake for the touring team.
In an exclusive chat with The Shillong Times, India’s key batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara said that he is eagerly looking forward to the Australia series after a long break in cricket like all other players in the team.
“All the guys are looking forward to the series, there has been a long break and I am sure all the guys are fresh and raring to go”, he said.
Relishing the prospects of the series, Pujara feels that the long and unexpected pause in cricketing action because of COVID-19 pandemic won’t be any hindrance to regaining form for the players once they start practising.
“As long as we have enough time for practice before the series, and I am sure all the players will have enough run-throughs, it won’t be a factor to regain form in no time.
“Once the players are back in their rhythm, getting back to form won’t be an issue. Important thing is that the game has to resume at some stage with all the obligatory precautions”, he said. The epitome of old-school cricket, Pujara said that playing pink-ball Test Down Under will be challenging, but he is looking forward to it as a batsman.
“Playing pink-ball Test under the lights in Australia will never be easy, but that is the challenge we all should anticipate as a team”, he said. “If you want to win a Test series in Australia, each and every match becomes important, so the pink-ball Test is very important for us as a team. We have played one pink-ball Test in Kolkata with the SG ball, and this time we will be playing day-night Test in Australia with the Kookaburra ball, it will be challenging but the good thing is that we now have experience of playing Test under the lights”, added the Saurashtra batsman.
On saliva ban, Pujara feels that it has a very little significance and is a temporary measure for the safety of players and once there is a cure or vaccine for COVID-19, it will be revoked.
“Saliva ban is a temporary thing and it is not going to stay for long. Once there is a cure for COVID-19, the rule will be revoked at once. Also, I don’t think saliva-ban would make a significant impact on the game”, he said.
Talking about his own preparation for the tour, Pujara said that he is now concentrating on getting back into rhythm and not thinking about the series.
“I can’t keep the Australia tour in my mind at the moment, specific preparations for the tour will start a little late. For the time being, I am getting back into my rhythm and it’s good to practise outdoor whenever it is possible”, Pujara said signing off.