India’s veteran batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara reckons that “strike-rate talk” overrated and there was a time when it mattered to him. Pujara had amassed 521 runs at a strike-rate of 41.41 strike rate with the help of three centuries against Australia two seasons ago but considering the “extraordinary circumstances” of the recent showdown that just went by, he rates his effort (271 at 29.20 and three half-centuries) equally special.

Talking about the same during a chat with PTI, Cheteshwar Pujara said, “Both tours have been fantastic for the team and personally I did well on both tours but the circumstances were completely different. This time I was starting up after a long time, almost eight months (due to COVID-19), there were no first-class games also. Numbers-wise, it may not look like a very, very good series for me but if you look at the pitches, not many runs were scored this time.”

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The 81-Test veteran said the balls faced, 928 to 1258 in the 2018-19 season, mattered more than runs scored, given the challenging pace attack, nature of pitches, and a barrage of injuries that Team India suffering during the four-match Test series. As often is the case, Pujara’s strike-rate was often been criticized as he managed to frustrate the trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc to make things slightly easier for the other Indian batsman. 

Elaborating the same, Pujara said, “Every batter has a role to play. The team management completely understands that. Whether it was Ravi bhai (coach) or Vicky bhai (batting coach) or Ajinkya, they just told me to keep batting the way I bat. I had to take extra time to score those runs. I always saw the bigger picture because I knew that it would be tough for the bowlers to run through the side if I was around at the other end.”

For someone who takes his time to accelerate, Pujara feels a batman can increase the strike-rate after spending time in the middle. He was hit on multiple occasions by the Australian fast bowler on the final day of the Briaben Testa and ended the game with a blow on his finger off Hazlewood being the most painful.

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Talking about his injury, Cheteshwar Pujara said, “I am much better now. There are still bruise marks but nothing serious. I have almost recovered.”