After helping the India team to script history on Australian soil, Test specialist, Cheteshwar Pujara has often been touted as one of teh grittiest batters in the longest format of the game. However, he has witnessed a lean patch after failing to surpass the three-figure mark on 38 previous occasions. And now with Virat Kohli unavailable and KL Rahul out, the onus will once again be on the senior India batter as the team is gearing up for a two-match Test series against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand.

The opening encounter will be commencing on November 25 in Kanpur’s Green Park and ahead of the much-awaited clash, Pujara has affirmed that a century is just around the corner for him.

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Addressing the media during a pre-match press conference, Cheteshwar Pujara said, “I have been scoring runs, 50, the 80s and 90s. Yes, I have not scored a century but I am not worried about it. As long as I keep batting well and contribute to the team’s total, I am happy with that. And it’s just a matter of one innings but my focus is to bat well. As long as I keep doing that, a century is round the corner.”

Cheteshwar Pujara witnessed a lot of criticism for his shoddy performance but the right-handed batter shut his critics playing a key role in India’s last Test series at home against England, which was suspended midway due to Covid-19 cases emerging inside the Indian camp. Talking about the revival, Pujara credited a change in mindset and not technique.

Describing the same, Cheteshwar Pujara said, “When it comes to performing, I think that the mindset was a little different but when it comes to technique, I don’t think there was a major change. It was just the approach and I was a little bit fearless which helped. I don’t think you should put too much pressure on yourself and go there and enjoy your game rather than worrying too much about what’s going around.”

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He further added, “That was my mindset during the England series and so far the preparation has been good and the experience of playing in Indian conditions will help in the next couple of Test matches.”