Down in Goa to represent his employers, Indian Oil Corporation Limited in corporate T20 tourney
cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara, is proving to be a cricket connoisseurs’ delight with his conventional risk-free brilliance. Basil Sylvester Pinto caught up the Rajkot-born Indian batsman for an exclusive interview.
Excerpts:
Q: How would you adapt your game across the three formats: T20 to ODIs to Test cricket?
CP: Nowadays it is really important I feel, to shift the gears. If you see local cricket most of them are either T20s or ODIs. It is very important to adapt to all formats of the game. I have been working hard on this. I had a very good success. If you look at this year’s see domestic T20 - Syed
Mushtaq Trophy. I was among the top 5 batters in the league phase and obviously Saurashtra
did not qualify (to the next stage). Even the strike rate was very good. Personally speaking,
domestic cricket matches in which I am playing the ODIs and T20 I am proving myself that I can
play all the formats. Once I get the exposure at the higher level, I think I can play all the formats
of the game.
Q: Knowing the player that you are, you play conventional cricket. Do you think it is a viable option in T20 internationals?
CP: Yes, it is. If you look at good batsmen who are classical; like for example, Jacques Kallis, the way he used to play in T20 format. Michael Hussey, he was a very good T20 player. Even Virat, the
way he plays. Most of the time, he plays conventional shots. At the same time, you must have
some options. And I am working towards having a few more shots in my repertoire. For example, having an option of a reverse sweep or sweep shot which you basically do not play in the Test format.
Q:You have played exceptionally well at the highest level. What would be your advice to cricketers
wanting to play Test cricket?
CP: Obviously, the most important thing is to score runs consistently. Whatever first class matches
you play, you need to perform in those games and work hard. You should know what are the things you are working on.What are your weaknesses, what are your strengths. How can you
better it and yes, the most important thing is you need to know your way and keeping working
hard.
Q: Most memorable knocks “ domestic and Test cricket ….
CP: Domestic Cricket: To single out one is very difficult. One of the knocks that comes to mind is
against Karnataka. I scored 137 something and Saurashtra went on to win the quarterfinals.
International Cricket: Recently, the 145 against Sri Lanka was really good. Apart from that, I have
got a couple of double hundreds against England and Australia. Then there is the 155 (153
actually!) against South Africa at Johannesburg.
Q: What is your advice to budding cricketers?
CP: You always have to work hard. You need to know where you want to go. Need to know your
goals and always aim high. If you are committed to something, make sure you are committed
totally to it. The game is all about patience. In the sense, you cannot be a cricketer in six months or a year, it is a process.
Q: Finally, what would be your message to your fans?
CP: Well, I would like to say that just keep supporting this game. Keep supporting me. I have been
working hard on my game and hopefully in the near future, I will get the opportunity to play all
formats of the game and I am improving day by day. There are some Test matches coming up
next season. Hopefully, I can give enough justice to the Indian team and keep winning as many
series as possible and keep all the fans alive.
