'Happy that my county performances were recognized' - Cheteshwar Pujara after recall to Test team

Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara is back in the Test team and the 34-year-old is determined to make a mark. Pujara has been named in India’s 17-man squad for fifth rescheduled Test against England, set to be played at Edgbaston from July 1-5. The right-handed batter, who has been a vital cog of India’s Test batting line-up since a decade, endured a hard time in his recent Test assignments.

He was also dropped for the home Test series against Sri Lanka earlier this year. However, a sensational show in the ongoing County season meant the selectors couldn’t ignore Pujara. India’s ‘modern-day wall’ has so far piled up 720 runs in just five games for Sussex. This includes four centuries out of which two were converted to double tons.

I hope to continue contributing to the Indian team: Cheteshwar Pujara

These numbers are simply staggering and Pujara is determined to make his bat talk in the Edgbaston Test as well. “I am glad to have been selected for the England Test, and happy that my recent county performances were recognized. Having spent some time in the middle during the county games, I do believe it will keep me in good stead as we get ready for the game against England,” Pujara was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

“As always, I’m looking forward to preparing and training well ahead of the tour, and do hope to continue contributing to the Indian team,” he added. Meanwhile, the rescheduled match is a part of India’s 2021 Test tour of England. The final game couldn’t take place last year as COVID-19 had infiltrated the Indian camp and there were multiple positive cases.

However, India ended the inconclusive series with a 2-1 lead and they would be determined to clinch the upcoming game as well. With Pujara being in such ravishing form, he should make it to the playing XI straight away. However, runs won’t come easy against the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.