New Delhi, May 25: Out of reckoning for a place in the Indian team for nearly two years, veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara still nourishes the dream of being a part of the Test team but said he doesn’t have any regrets about the direction his career has taken.
The 37-year-old Pujara last played a Test match for India during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in June, 2023.
“I won’t mind if I get an opportunity (to play for India again), but definitely, yes, at this stage I am someone who likes to be at present,” Pujara replied to a PTI query during an online interaction organised by Sony Sports Network, the official broadcaster of upcoming India’s tour of England.
“If I get an opportunity to represent the country, nothing like it, that will be the best thing. But at the same time I am someone who is at peace, who likes to be in the present and carry on doing what I do. The career so far has been fantastic, I don’t have any regrets,” he added.Pujara, who has accumulated 7195 runs from 103 Tests at an average of 43.60, said he is still enjoying the game and will carry on till the desire remains.
“I enjoy my cricket, so as long as I am enjoying my cricket, I will carry on. I do practice, I do work on my fitness,” he said.
“Whatever happens next is something which I can’t control but I always control the things which I can, which is to enjoy the game as long as I am playing, whether at domestic level, club game or county cricket,” he added.
On the other hand, Pujara said it will be a challenge for a youngster like Shubman Gill to captain India in tough conditions in England but a big opportunity and confidence booster for him if he achieves success as a leader in the marquee series.
Gill was named new Test captain on Saturday, succeeding Rohit Sharma. The move officially began a new era in the Indian red-ball set-up after the shock retirements of Rohit and Virat Kohli.
Rohit and Kohli announced their Test retirements within a span of one week this month.“When you go abroad as a captain, whether you are young or matured, it will be challenging. To start off in England, it won’t be easy for Shubman but it’s a great opportunity for a young player. If he leads well in England it will boost his confidence.
“The reason he has been given the responsibility ahead of Jasprit Bumrah is because we are hearing that Bumrah will not be able to play all five Test matches,” Pujara said on Sunday during an online interaction organised by Sony Sports network, the official broadcaster of India’s tour of England.
“So if Shubman has been given the responsibility, the team management and selectors are thinking that he could lead the team for a long time.” The 37-year-old Pujara, who is yet to announce Test retirement after last playing for India in June 2023, advised Gill to keep captaincy and his batting separate.
“There is also a lot of responsibility on him as a batter but I’m sure the kind of talent he has he will be successful in England. It will definitely motivate him to perform well. I don’t know whether being a captain it will bring the best out of him but as a batter he has always tried to perform well for the team. (PTI)
