Indian Test specialist batsman Cheteshwar Pujara feels the current Indian cricket team is better prepared than the previous Indian team who toured in England in 2014.
Apart from playing five-match ODI series and only T20I, India also played five-match Test series against the hosts England in 2014 tour. While India lost the T20I match and won the ODI series by 1-3, India lost the earlier Test series by 3-1 despite getting 0-1 ahead at the end of the second Test.
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However, Pujara believes that the present Indian cricket team is better prepared as most of the batsmen are experienced in handling the conditions.
Pujara told Hindustan Times, “Playing county cricket is always helpful as it allows you to get used to the conditions. England is the toughest place to bat because you have to get used to the weather, and the seaming conditions. We have played a lot of cricket outside the sub-continent since our last tour of England in 2014 and that experience will also come in handy.
“There have been some seaming tracks in India as well and most of the batsmen are experienced in handling the conditions now. We are better prepared this time.”
While Pujara hasn’t much commented on his batting technique, he said that the temperament is the key to achieve success in England.
The Indian Test batsman said, “I don’t want to comment much on technique, but this experience (county) will definitely come in handy. The ball swings for good 40 to 50 overs in England and playing more in these conditions allows you to know where to focus.
“Temperament is the key in these conditions. One should be ready to grind it out when the ball is moving. Once you settle in, you can gauge the movement off the pitch and in the air and that is when you can play your shots.”
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Talking about the roles of the cricketers during the upcoming Test series, Pujara has revealed that there is no set role for anyone as it will change according to the situation.
The 30-year-old said, “There is no set role for anyone to be honest. You need to change your game according to match situations. When you play in difficult conditions, you have to play according to the merit of the ball. I know what things to do to succeed in this format and I play accordingly. The track also determines what kind of a strategy you have as a batsman, and that is why there can’t be any particular roles. As a team we discuss what needs to be done and that’s how we go out and perform.”
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While James Anderson and Stuart Broad are the dangerous bowlers in this familiar condition, Indian batsmen are preparing for the other bowlers too.
Pujara said on that, “You need to understand that they are a good team. You can’t have a strategy around two or three players. Anyone can be dangerous. As batsmen we know their seam duo (James Anderson and Stuart Broad) are tricky customers, but we have to prepare against the others too. Similarly as a bowling unit we will have to work on all their batsmen. Yes, some have been more successful against us but we will have a plan for all of them.”
