'Test cricket will always remain special' - Cheteshwar Pujara after his Ranji heroics against Karnataka

The cornerstone of Indian batting in test matches Cheteshwar Pujara recently hit a sublime double ton in the Ranji Trophy against Karantaka and joined the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Pujara, who has been a regular member in the Test squad of India in the last 5 years, has never been looked as an ODI or T20 player.

In a world where players choose T20 franchise cricket over Test matches, Pujara is old school as for him Test cricket still is the most important format in the game. Pujara in his career has played 75 matches and only 5 ODIs in total. He has amassed over 5000 runs at an average of almost 50 with 18 tons to his name in test cricket.

In his recent interview with Espncricinfo, Pujara acknowledged T20s growing popularity but also hoped that Test Cricket will continue to exist as it is the ultimate test for any player. Pujara who has been a prolific run-getter for India in test cricket believes that he will continue his amazing form against New Zealand in the test series.

“Times are changing as white-ball cricket has become popular. But test cricket is special and will always remain special. And let us hope that it stays like this for as much as possible,” said Pujara.

India are scheduled to lock horns with New Zealand

International cricket council recently in their meeting, contemplated making test matches a four-day affair from 2023 to which many great players such as Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting criticised  b decision.

The first test series of the decade of team India will take place next month in New Zealand and the Indian number 3 has already set his sights on the big tour. Pujara who became only the 9th Indian to complete 50 First-class ton was the player of the series in Australia that helped India win 2-1.

Pujara believes that he will need to trust his own game in New Zealand. He stated, “If you achieve such a big thing before such tours, you feel confident and start trusting your own game again”.The Two test match series is important as it will leave India, within touching distance of making the final in 2021 of the inaugural World test championship.

He further went on to add “It is the right time that we are actually going to New Zealand, soon so it is good preparation. Whenever you score runs, you are high on confidence and you also get back your rhythm”.

The 31-year-old Pujara is fourth on the active list of players with most first-class centuries. Former England skipper Alastair cook who continues to plays for Essex has the most with 65 and South African Hashim, Alma, with 52 and India’s domestic cricket Giant Wasim Jaffar who has 57 centuries.

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