I’ve made it the hard way, I never had godfathers: Cheteshwar Pujara
With an IPL franchisee based out of Rajkot, Cheteshwar Pujara might have hoped to return to the league after he was overlooked in last year’s auction. But the auction didn’t bring him any good news as he went unsold.
Excerpts:
Were you anxious before the IPL auction?
I was curious whether I will be picked or not? When auction happens there is curiosity on what will happen. But it is something which is not in my hand. Sometimes, you need to be very lucky to get a team. The two new teams, Pune and Rajkot, had their combination ready. There was hardly any vacancy. It would have been nice to be part of the IPL but it is not end of the world. I know in shorter format I have to prove a point but a day will come and it will happen.
Have you started working in that direction?
I had already started. In my life, I have always found things the hard way. In domestic cricket I was scoring tons and tons of runs and then I got my chance. Even in ODI and T20s, I don’t get anything easy. Once I keep scoring runs, it will get noticed. Those who saw my batting in domestic T20 appreciated it. Sadly, the matches were not highlighted. I’m gaining power in my batting. I want to work on my shots and hit sixes when the field is spread.
Do you feel Rajkot should have picked you?
I thought I have a good chance. At the end of the day, it is the team owner’s call, whom to pick and whom not to. I still feel many players will benefit with IPL team coming home. It will be a chance for them to see big players from close. Many young net bowlers will the get chance to bowl and learn from them.
Were you disappointed?
Initially I didn’t feel good about it. It was not new to me. I had dealt with it last year too. Many good players were not picked. I was surprised that no one picked Martin Guptill, the way he is batting is superb. In auction nothing is a guarantee.
Don’t think people have labelled you as a Test specialist?
It’s wrong, galat label laga hai. If one has to play for India then where should he perform? Either domestic level or India A level. Even BCCI preponed the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali so that franchises can have a look at the players before the auction. It will take time for me to change people’s perception. As I said I have made my way through hard work. I never had godfathers. I’m working more hard than before on my batting and fielding. That will help me somewhere in the future. Things can change in no time. Time time ke baat hoti hai.
Did you speak to anyone?
I spoke to Rahul bhai. The problem was I was preparing for the longer format and was hoping that this will work in shorter formats too. My shots were suited for the longer format, which I had to change and even had to try and play shots which I never did before. For example, I never played lofted shots to spinners as well as seamers. The frequency of such shots was very less because my preparation was more focused on Tests. In the free time, I was improving my Tests shots. If I have to play T20 and ODI, then I have to play those lofted shots. I have started it six-eight month ago. It will take time. I’m trying to reverse sweep. You will be not using it frequently but in T20 matches you need to have all kind of strokes. Those who are successful in all three formats, they hardly play reverse sweep, paddle sweep because they have power and have a fair idea when to hit the lofted shots.
Do you feel if you had played more IPL games you would have known where things are lacking?
Yes. I hardly played IPL games. In 10-12 T20 games I played recently, I scored some seven half centuries and had a strike rate of 130 odd. Bowling standard might be variable but I feel in T20 bowling standard ke zarorat nahi padti because anyway you go for it. When I was doing well in domestic cricket questions were raised whether I will be able to play against quality bowling? But I was successful, and I can do the same in T20 games as well.
What’s next for you?
We want to win the Ranji Trophy. That’s the main aim and yes will look out for county games once again.There is no point sitting at home, instead I will utilize my time. And don’t worry, things will change, give me some time.
