IND vs ENG Test Series 2018: Team India Better Prepared Than 2014 Tour, Says Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara also said that playing county cricket has helped him adapt to the conditions.
Right-handed batsman Cheteshwar Pujara holds the key for India in the upcoming five-match Test series against England. The 30-year-old batsman ahead of the all-important series has said that the team is better prepared to take on England than 2014. Pujara also added that playing county cricket has helped him to adapt to the conditions. The first Test starts on August 01 at Edgbaston and the fifth and final match will be played on September 07.
“Playing county cricket is always helpful as it allows you to get used to the conditions. England is the toughest place to bat because you have to get used to the weather, and the seaming conditions. We have played a lot of cricket outside the sub-continent since our last tour of England in 2014 and that experience will also come in handy,” he told Hindustan Times. IND vs ENG Test Series 2018: James Anderson Says Playing Against India Brings Out the Best in Him.
“There have been some seaming tracks in India as well and most of the batsmen are experienced in handling the conditions now. We are better prepared this time. I don’t want to comment much on technique, but this experience (county) will definitely come in handy. The ball swings for good 40 to 50 overs in England and playing more in these conditions allows you to know where to focus,” Pujara added.
The senior batsman also said that temperament is the key in English conditions and “one should be ready to grind it out when the ball is moving. Once you settle in, you can gauge the movement off the pitch and in the air and that is when you can play your shots.”
Talking about his role in the team, Pujara was of the view that it keeps on changing and there is no set role. “There is no set role for anyone to be honest. You need to change your game according to match situations. When you play in difficult conditions, you have to play according to the merit of the ball. I know what things to do to succeed in this format and I play accordingly. The track also determines what kind of a strategy you have as a batsman, and that is why there can’t be any particular roles. As a team, we discuss what needs to be done and that’s how we go out and perform,” he said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2018 05:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).