Cheteshwar Pujara, the most experimental signing of the auction this year, finds home this IPL 2021 at Dhoni’s CHENNAI SUPER KINGS. The signing has been regarded as a big risk considering Test-friendly stance of Pujara.
Pujara, too understands the big bet played by CSK management on a name like him, who’s considered an out and out, test player and seeks to implements advices from teammates Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli.
Pujara while talking to ESPN Cricinfo said, “…When it comes to strike rate, yes, I agree that I’m not a power-hitter. But at the same time, you learn from players like Virat (Kohli).”
“Rohit (Sharma), he is not purely a power-hitter, but he is one of the best timers of the ball I have seen in the shorter formats”.
The test specialist admitted that in very early stage of his career he deemed not to change or tweak his playing style for T20 matches, which could hamper his test stature as well. But things have certainly changed. He also complemented player like Kane Williamson, who’s considered a goof option in all three formats of cricket.
“You learn from players like Kane Williamson. Even Steven Smith. All of them score runs by just playing cricketing shots, and at the same time they will be innovative. I also have that mindset, that if I want to be successful, I also need to be innovative, but at the same time you can still score runs by playing cricket shots. You need to get better at generating power, I won’t deny that, but ultimately cricketing sense is what I feel will be your main strength.”
He continued, “… it all comes with experience. When I was playing the T20 format in the past, I had a little bit of a worry that what if my Test cricket gets spoiled? Then there will be some technical error once the IPL gets over. But now I am over that. What I realized over a period of time is my natural game, my strengths, will never go away,”
