Team backs my style of play, says Pujara

In the age of slam-bang cricket, Pujara brings delight to the purists of the game by batting on and on without worrying too much about the strike-rate. But to appreciate someone who epitomises patience in Test cricket may be asking for too much from the “millennials”.

Last week, the 32-year-old from Rajkot found himself at the receiving end again on social media as he laboured his way to 66 off 237 balls in the Ranji Trophy final against Bengal.

To his credit, he overcame fever and throat infection to share a game-changing stand with Arpit Vasavada, helping Saurashtra to its maiden title on the basis of first innings lead.

Whether it is playing for Saurashtra or India, Pujara is used to constant chatter around his strike-rate. “I don’t think there is too much talk (on the inside). In media, it is described differently, but the team management has been backing me on this completely.There is no pressure from the captain, coach or anyone else,” said Pujara, who is currently getting much-needed family time due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

“When it comes to strike rate, people start pointing towards team management’s take on it but there is no pressure on me at all. The team management understands my style of play and its importance.” For someone who averages 48.66 in 77 Tests, perception counts for little.

“The question that was asked on social media (during Ranji final) was ‘why am I taking so long to score X number of runs’? I don’t pay attention to such things. My job is to make sure the team wins at all times. People have this tendency to pinpoint one person but it is just not about me. I know I can’t be a David Warner or Virender Sehwag, but if a normal batsman takes time there is nothing wrong in that.”

The entire batting unit had a tough time in New Zealand, with the 0-2 loss in Tests marking the end of the international season. Pujara collected five half centuries this season, including one in New Zealand, but could not add to his 18 hundreds. “People expect big knocks from me. I always challenge myself to score a 100 but to average close to 50 in Tests means you are scoring a half-century almost every second innings.

“My standards are always high and I am not satisfied with the season I had. But, I would not call it a bad one at all.” With uncertainty over the upcoming county season in the UK due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Pujara has no game time lined up in the near future.