After not getting a chance to feature in the squad for the opening Test at Edgbaston where India lost the game by 31 runs, pundits started criticizing the Indian team management for dropping a player like Cheteshwar Pujara. However, he was later on included in the Indian squad for the Lord’s Test but an unfortunate run out in the first innings for 1 was followed by his stumps being sent for a cartwheel for 17 in the second, and it was back to the drawing board for India’s third Test.

The knock in the first innings of the third Test at Trent Bridge wasn’t satisfactory for Pujara either as e got dismissed while trying to pull Chris Woakes’ delivery at the stroke of lunch on Day 1 for 14. With his overseas record being scrutinized again after that knock, he did manage to come out with some resolute batting display in the second innings. He built a strong 113-run stand with skipper Virat Kohli, Pujara played a gritty knock of 72 in 208 balls to put India in the driver’s seat.

During the post-day press conference, Chetshwar said, “I think I was always confident, although I didn’t play on challenging pitches in County cricket. I always felt that I was batting well, especially in the nets – the way I was timing the ball, I was very confident that I was up for a big one. The way I batted in this innings, I felt that whatever I was working on in the nets came along and I am really pleased to score those valuable 72 runs for the team.”

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Earlier this year, Pujara played the County Championship for Yorkshire but failed to make his mark as he only amassed 172 runs in 12 innings, but he acknowledged the fact that the stint helped him in adjusting to the conditions on offer.

Talking about his County stint further, Pujara said, “Playing county cricket did help me. I have learned a lot, although I didn’t score many runs the kind of time I spent here in the last few years has helped me deal with such conditions. Ultimately, wherever you go, especially for us Indian batsmen when we play away from home, whether it is England, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand, I think we just need to trust our technique.”

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Pujara also praised both the opener in the third Test, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul as they gave a solid start of 60 runs in both the innings of the Test match. He said, “There is always some pressure, especially when you haven’t scored too many runs and even as a team, a batting unit, before this Test match we did not score too many runs. The way our openers batted in the first and second innings, I think a lot of credit goes to them because sometimes it is not about scoring big fifties or hundreds but even if they get 30 or 40 runs, it is quite valuable for the team. I think in both innings we got 50 runs without losing any wickets, which is always important for the team.”

Led by Kohli’s 23rd Test century and useful contributions from all other Indian batsmen, the visitors declared on 352 for 7 setting England a mammoth 521-run target with two days to go. At the end of the third day’s play, the hosts were 23 with loss and requiring a further 498 runs for a win. With the surface starting showing variable bounce, Pujara was confident the Indian bowlers will be able to secure victory on the fourth day.