The Indian Test specialist, Cheteshwar Pujara reckons that mental toughness and dogged determination in the middle and he says those very traits helped him beat the “lockdown blues” amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rajkot-based cricketer got back to training at the nets this week, three months after helping Saurashtra win their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
Talking about the same during PTI, Pujara said, “You have to start at some point and it is important. If you are going to the ground, you are getting used to the sun and outdoor environment. Most players have been indoors for such a long time. Initially, it is just about feeling the ball and as it is, there is plenty of time before cricket starts. I don’t see any series happening for the next two-three months, so one has to take things gradually.”
Pujara said his mental fortitude helped him immensely while he was confined to his house. He also said that he will be gradually increasing the intensity of the net sessions. For now, he is batting for 20-25 minutes thrice a week.
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Cricketers are not used to a break this long and are vulnerable to mental health issues but for Pujara, the phase was not dark at all. After all, he has experienced darker moments in his career, most recently in 2011 when a knee injury kept him out of the game for close to six months.
Cheteshwar explained, “Getting back from an injury is much tougher than this. When I was injured in the past (2008 and 2011), I resumed training after a long time, longer than this but the lockdown was different. I was still active when I was indoors (with the fitness routine). Obviously, it feels a little different when you are holding a bat after a long time but because I worked on my fitness, it is helping now that I am playing again.”
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With no clarity over the start of the domestic season, there is a possibility that Pujara’s next competitive game comes during the tour of Australia in December. However, preparation is all he can focus on for the moment.
