Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of his 100th Test: ‘My dream is to win a WTC final for India’ | Cricket News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: India’s Test batting stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara will join an elite list of India cricketers when he takes the field for the second Test against Australia in Delhi on February 17. Pujara, who has featured in 99 Tests for India so far, is set to play his 100th Test match. In 99 Tests, Pujara has amassed 7021 runs at an average of 44.15, including 19 centuries and 34 half-centuries.
The 35-year-old will become the 13th Indian cricketer to join the illustrious club of hundred Test matches.
Sachin Tendulkar (200), Rahul Dravid (163), VVS Laxman (134), Anil Kumble (132), Kapil Dev (131), Sunil Gavaskar (125), Dilip Vengsarkar (116), Sourav Ganguly (113), Virat Kohli (105), Ishant Sharma (105), Harbhajan Singh (103) and Virender Sehwag (103) are the 12 India cricketers who have played 100 or more Tests in their career.
“There is a lot more to achieve. I am definitely satisfied and really excited to play this hundredth Test match. But at the same time, we are playing an important series. So, hopefully, we win this Test match and move on to win another Test match which will ensure we will qualify for the WTC final. My dream is to win a WTC final for the Indian team, which didn’t happen in the last final. But hopefully, once we qualify, we move towards that,” said a determined Pujara in the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
Since his Test debut in October 2010, which ironically came in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Pujara has emerged to be a mainstay in India’s batting order in the longest format of the game.
“When I started playing cricket and then made my (Test) debut, I never thought about playing hundred Test matches. For me, it is always about being in the present and not thinking too far ahead. So, for me, I thought before this series started and that’s when I realised that I will be playing my hundredth Test match. In a career, you always go through ups and downs, and you have to fight through those periods.”
“For me, I never thought that I will play a hundred Test matches as that wasn’t my goal. I have always been a player who wants to do well in every Test match and series. The hundredth Test match is something which happens through the journey and that is something which you can’t aim for. But when you continue playing good cricket, that happens,” he added.
Pujara also expressed gratitude to his family, friends and coaches in various stages of his life, especially to his father Arvind, who has been his coach since childhood and will be in attendance on Friday when he takes the field.
“It means a lot to me and my family. My father has played a very important role in my cricketing career. He’s someone who has coached me since my childhood, so he’s very excited and is going to be here tomorrow with my wife, who’s been very supportive.”
“In a cricketer’s life, family support is very important and I am very thankful to my family, friends, to the coaches whom I have worked with over some time and who have played a very important role in my cricketing career.”
The 35-year-old will become the 13th Indian cricketer to join the illustrious club of hundred Test matches.
Sachin Tendulkar (200), Rahul Dravid (163), VVS Laxman (134), Anil Kumble (132), Kapil Dev (131), Sunil Gavaskar (125), Dilip Vengsarkar (116), Sourav Ganguly (113), Virat Kohli (105), Ishant Sharma (105), Harbhajan Singh (103) and Virender Sehwag (103) are the 12 India cricketers who have played 100 or more Tests in their career.
“There is a lot more to achieve. I am definitely satisfied and really excited to play this hundredth Test match. But at the same time, we are playing an important series. So, hopefully, we win this Test match and move on to win another Test match which will ensure we will qualify for the WTC final. My dream is to win a WTC final for the Indian team, which didn’t happen in the last final. But hopefully, once we qualify, we move towards that,” said a determined Pujara in the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
Since his Test debut in October 2010, which ironically came in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Pujara has emerged to be a mainstay in India’s batting order in the longest format of the game.
“When I started playing cricket and then made my (Test) debut, I never thought about playing hundred Test matches. For me, it is always about being in the present and not thinking too far ahead. So, for me, I thought before this series started and that’s when I realised that I will be playing my hundredth Test match. In a career, you always go through ups and downs, and you have to fight through those periods.”
“For me, I never thought that I will play a hundred Test matches as that wasn’t my goal. I have always been a player who wants to do well in every Test match and series. The hundredth Test match is something which happens through the journey and that is something which you can’t aim for. But when you continue playing good cricket, that happens,” he added.
Pujara also expressed gratitude to his family, friends and coaches in various stages of his life, especially to his father Arvind, who has been his coach since childhood and will be in attendance on Friday when he takes the field.
“It means a lot to me and my family. My father has played a very important role in my cricketing career. He’s someone who has coached me since my childhood, so he’s very excited and is going to be here tomorrow with my wife, who’s been very supportive.”
“In a cricketer’s life, family support is very important and I am very thankful to my family, friends, to the coaches whom I have worked with over some time and who have played a very important role in my cricketing career.”
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