Need to find a way to outlast Pujara, says Cummins

Pujara’s exploits with the bat in India’s series win in 2018-19 is still fresh in Cummins’s mind and he would like to avoid a repeat of the same in the upcoming tour. Pujara was the star of India’s breakthrough 2-1 series win over Australia, amassing 521 runs from four Tests at an average of 74.42 with three centuries and one fifty.

“He (Pujara) had a mammoth series for India (in 2018-19). He is one of those players who will take his time, be in his own little bubble and doesn’t get disturbed too much,” Cummins told cricket.com.au. “We have got to find a way to outlast him if he bats the way he did last time. There wasn’t too much in the pitch, so we couldn’t manufacture anything. I think (we need to) take our medicine a bit more and try and outlast him.” Cummins, who hopes the conditions this time would be in Australia’s favour, said it would need to get the likes of Pujara out of his comfort zone to stop India. “But, we will wait and see. Hopefully, the wickets are a bit bouncier (and) we have got a few more options,” he added. The 27-year-old stated he has evolved as a bowler from the 2018-19 tour.

“I think each Test I play, I learn a little bit about my own bowling. I have probably played 10 or 15 Tests since that series and I feel like with each series I get a little bit better,” he said.

“There were a few lessons; the first lesson I learnt was how brutal Test cricket is. A side might bat all of day one and there is nothing that will stop it from batting all of day two unless we take wickets. India did that a few times to us.

“It showed us what you have to be, what level you have to be at, to be the best team in the world.” Overall, Cummins, currently World No.1 Test bowler, opined Australia is far better equipped to handle the Indians now than last time. “I think we will be ready for India this time,” he said.

“Everyone is a little more experienced because obviously we have got a couple of class batters back in the side – David Warner and Steve Smith. Marnus (Labuschagne) has played a bit more and done brilliantly. So I feel like we are in a better position.” © 2020 All Rights Reserved. Powered by Summit