New Delhi, Feb 14: Senior India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, set to play his 100th Test here on Friday, is not concerned about the chatter regarding his age and how long he will continue to play, and the 35-year-old says he has not set a retirement date and would like to take it one match at a time.
With England pace-bowling stalwarts James Anderson (40 years) and Stuart Broad (36) showing age is no barrier in modern-day cricket, Pujara’s philosophy is simple – enjoy the game and when not able to contribute, consider the next step.
“I don’t want to set a target for myself. I want to be in the present. I want to take it one Test match at a time rather than thinking about how long I can play,” Pujara told ESPNCricinfo on Tuesday.
“It’s important to enjoy the game, it’s important to be on top of your game, and whenever you are not able to contribute, or you are not performing to the best of your abilities, you can consider the next step. I have just turned 35. There’s still some time,” he added.
Pujara will become the 13th Indian to play 100 or more Tests, with Sachin Tendulkar (200 Tests) leading the pack, when he sets foot on the Arun Jaitley Stadium ground against Australia on Friday.
He made his Test debut in 2010 against Australia and has kept himself in the reckoning in the longest format ever since, overcoming the troughs in his professional career with hard work and determination.
On the upcoming milestone, where his family will be there to cheer him at the stadium, Pujara said, “Yes, it will be my 100th Test match, but you still have a job to do for the team and you focus on that a bit more. We are playing an important series against Australia.
“Yes, the second Test will be my 100th, but there will be two more Tests after that which will be very important for us to win to qualify for the WTC final,” said Pujara, indicating the milestone will be just another footmark in his long professional career.
Iyer declared fit, to
join Indian squad
Shreyas Iyer has successfully completed his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy following a back injury and will join the India squad ahead of the second Test beginning here on Friday.
Iyer had played the two-match Test series in Bangladesh in December last year, but was ruled out of the home ODI series against New Zealand due to swelling in the lower back.
Iyer also missed the opening Test against Australia in Nagpur as he had not fully completed his rehabilitation.
On Tuesday, the BCCI said in a statement that Iyer had been cleared by its medical team and will join the Test squad in Delhi. (PTI)
