I am ready to bat at any number: Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara (L) said he was experienced in facing the new ball. (Source: Express photo by Kevin D’Souza)

He might have scored a century as opener in the last Test that India played, but Cheteshwar Pujara on Thursday said he was willing to bat at any position he’s asked to by the team’s think-tank in the opening game against South Africa starting November 5 in Mohali.

“I don’t know about the (batting) position. Once I join the team (at Mohali) I will have a word with the captain (Virat Kohli) and coach (Team Director Ravi Shastri) and they will let me know what number they are looking at. Depending on the team’s requirement I will be ready for it,” said Pujara, who will lead Board President’s XI against the visitors in a two-day warm-up game in Mumbai from Friday.

Pujara was promoted to open the batting in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo, in the absence of injured regular openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, and he made a patient 145 out of a team total of 312 hundred to play a big role in his team’s thumping win by 117 runs that also propelled it to a 2-0 series victory.

The Saurashtra batsman had lost his place in the playing eleven after the Test series in Australia and did not figure in the first two matches in Sri Lanka before grabbing the chance with both hands when an opportunity came his way.

He said he was experienced in facing the new ball. “Overall, I have batted at no.3 which, at times, is as good as opening the batting. At (other) times at no. 3 you still get some more time and if there is an (opening) partnership, you can be relax and have a look at the bowlers and the wicket.

“Overall, since I have batted at no. 3, I have the experience of facing the new ball. Technically I don’t have to make major changes in my batting and, in that way, I am comfortable batting up the order. Overall my preparations are good. Whatever no I will be asked to bat, I will be ready for it,” he added.

Pujara has not scored too many runs in the three Ranji Trophy games played on rank turners at Rajkot but did not read too much into them.

“I am very confident. The kind of wickets we have played on, it’s difficult for batters and fast bowlers. If I have not got big runs, I won’t say I am out of form. They were low-scoring games,” said Pujara who averages close to 50 after 28 Tests, with seven tons to his credit.

“In a way it is a good thing to get turning tracks and you can prepare accordingly, but I would not say that those innings or failures on those wickets will put me under pressure or I will have any problems with my preparations. I know what I will be facing and, with the kind of experience I have, I am confident I will do well.”

An important game

Asked about the game against the Proteas, Pujara said it was important personally and from a team’s perspective.

“Personally and as a team it’s really important. Any game featuring Board President’s XI or the A team becomes important before a series starts as it gives confidence, gives you the right kind of preparation before a big series. And most importantly, personally speaking, playing against the same bowlers who you will face in the Test series is a good thing.”

Speaking about little known young Rajasthan pace bowler Nathu Singh’s inclusion in his team, Pujara said he had not seen him bowl before today and was impressed with the way he swung the ball at a good pace in the nets. “He’s a talented youngster and the most important thing is he’s quick and can still swing the ball. That’s what I observed in the nets. He’s just 20 years old and has a bright future.

“These sorts of games will give him a lot of confidence if he can perform well. He will learn many things and experiencing this atmosphere will help him become a better cricketer,” he said.

Team coach and former off spinner Ashish Kapoor said he too did not have an idea about the youngster before Thursday.

“Unheard of and unseen by a lot of people including me. Just saw him today. Last night I told him to show his bowling action on his phone,” said the former India player.

“He’s played three (Ranji Trophy) games, is an exciting prospect. Selectors and other people have seen him and feel he’s got something. If you find someone clocking 140-plus (KPH), then straightway pick him and don’t make him wait.”

Kapoor also talked about the three spinners selected for the game. “We are waiting for the selectors who are coming this evening. We will talk to them and see whether we have to play all three.

“If I see an off spinner with a clean action getting wickets I am excited. Over the last couple of months I have worked with Jayant Yadav in Delhi. I have seen him over the last 2-3 years, seen the difference in his bowling, in what he was and what he is now. He’s still a long way to go, but has potential.”

Pujara said on Friday he and Kapoor will talk to the South African think tank and decide whether more than 11 players can be fielded in the match. “We will have a word with the South African team and see how they want to go about it and then take a call,” Pujara said.