Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored his 50th first-class century on Day 1 of Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka on Saturday said that setting records and achieving milestones make a player trust their game and gives the motivation as well. With his century, Pujara entered an elite list of Indian players with the most number of first-class tons, led by Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar (81).
“It does feel special. It’s a proud moment, although you don’t want to look too much into your stats. At least while you are playing. Because even when I am batting I am hardly aware if I am nearing the 50 or 100,” Pujara told ESPNCricinfo.
“I actually don’t even remember the number of Test matches I have played and the number of runs I have scored. When someone else is discussing it, you come to know. At times (such records) also motivate you to work harder on your game. You start trusting your game even more because not many players have achieved this feat. You know that you have some talent, and you need to keep working on your game and continue doing the same things. And when such moments come in your career you feel, yes, for whatever you have done in the past you have got the results, and then there are the stats you can look at,” Pujara told.
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When he was asked if the timing of the record and his great form was important before India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand, Pujara said, “There is no right (or wrong) time, but yes, I would say it is always the right time when you are going abroad or if a big match is coming up. If you achieve such a thing before such tours, you feel confident and you start trusting your game again.”
“That is because when you are going abroad and you are playing in challenging conditions, you need to trust your game, trust your preparation. And when something like this happens then you know that you need to continue doing whatever you have done in the past. And maybe work a little harder. It gives me the confidence that if I can do well in first-class cricket, then I can do it in any form of cricket. I’ve still got a lot in me, I still am young and I still have a lot to achieve in my career,” Cheteshwar Pujara expressed.
Pujara is a key player of India in the longer format of the game. However, he said that setting domestic records was nice but international cricket remains his priority.
“Yes, it (the record) would (inspire me to keep playing FC cricket). But your priority is always to play Test cricket as much as possible. It is still a long way to go. Luckily I am young and I still love playing this format. Times are changing and white-ball cricket has become popular. But Test cricket is always special and it will always remain special. And let us hope it continues for as much time as possible,” Cheteshwar Pujara concluded.
