Cheteswar Pujara would like to continue his good form with the bat against England. Image Source: zimbio.com[/caption]Kolkata: Cheteswar Pujara will have a crucial role to play in the forthcoming test series against England. The 28 year old batsman from Sourashtra will have the responsibility to negotiate the new ball from Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes. Pujara will go into the series with the confidence of notching up his eight test century against the Kiwis in the recently concluded test series. His unbeaten century in Indore on the fourth day of the third Test not only took the game away from the Kiwis but also assured him of the top spot in the list of highest run-getters in the series.
A tally of 373 runs in three Tests that presented challenging conditions for batsmen is certainly a creditable achievement. The elegant batsman opened up about playing his first test at home, his preparations, on the last series , Cook and his team, James Anderson in an exclusive interview with xtratime.in correspondent Sabyasachi Bagchi ahead of the test series against England. Here are the excerpts:
Rajkot will be hosting a test match for the first time. How excited are you about walking into bat at the Sourashtra Cricket Association stadium?
I am playing at Sourashtra Cricket Association stadium since my U’14 days. My father used to take me to the stadium. Last year the stadium hosted its first IPL match. But then to host a test match and that too against a team like England is a great thing for the cricket fans in Sourashtra.
You will be felicitated along with ex-cricketers like Salim Durani, Karsan Ghawri and Dilip Doshi.
Yes, I along with Rabindra Jadeja from the current team will also be felicitated. It will be a huge honour for us.
How has been your preparation for the series against England?
I do not have any separate planning. My preparations remain the same even if I am playing a Ranji Trophy match for Sourashtra. I just played a Ranji Trophy match against Maharshtra and narrowly missed a hundred. I regularly go to my academy to train with the junior cricketers.
Last time you were the highest run scorer against England at home during the 2012-13. But you ended up on the losing side. What are your thoughts about the forthcoming series?
I do not want to look at the past. I honestly believe in living in the present. I am preparing myself so that I can make useful contribution for the team.
England will be without James Anderson, who played a key role in the last two series win against India. Will his absence work to India’s advantage?
I don’t think seamers will have a bigger role in the series ahead. They do have quality spinners in Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. Yes, he has been a key bowler for England.
England meekly surrendered against Mehedi Hasan Miraj and Shakib al Hasan in the recent series in Bangladesh. Do you think Ashwin will be huge intimidating factor against Cook and his team?
Pujara: I do not look at that way. They also have some good players of spin, especially someone like Cook and Joe Root can score big if they are allowed to settle in. Our spinners are also in good rhythm. It will be an evenly contested series.
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