Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed his readiness to return to the national Test side for India’s upcoming five-match series against England, starting June 20.
In a conversation on 'Backstage with Boria,' hosted by Boria Majumdar, the 37-year-old reiterated his passion for Test cricket and his desire to contribute to India’s quest for a series victory in England.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who last played for India in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, has been out of the Test setup amid a transitional phase for the team. After India lost the home Test series to New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, a section of fans has been calling for Pujara’s return to the Test team.
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Pujara himself talked about the possibility of his Test comeback, sharing that he is working on his fitness and is raring to go if the team needs his services.
"If the team needs and I get the opportunity, I am prepared from my end. I have been working on my physical fitness, performing well in the country and domestic tournaments. Team India has been quite competitive, but has not won a series in England for around 20 years now, so given an opportunity, I would like to give the best from my end and grab the opportunity if the team needs me. This would be the perfect opportunity to contribute when a win is much needed in England," Pujara said as quoted on 'Backstage with Boria' season 6.
Cheteshwar Pujara Opens Up on His Test Snub
The Saurashtra stalwart, with 103 Test matches and 7,195 runs to his name, reflected on the disappointment of being sidelined despite his proven track record.
"When one has been successful at the highest level and played more than 100 Test matches and are still not a part of the team, you carry on the hard work that has been the reason behind getting the success. Not getting the opportunity is a big disappointment, but I keep myself ready and motivated because of my love for this game. And out of that love, I keep myself close to the game and routine without expecting much, and through any opportunity I get, be it domestic or county."
Addressing the team’s recent setbacks, Pujara emphasized a collective perspective.
"When you fail, you fail as a team/unit and not because of a single player. So, missing out on being a part of the team is definitely disappointing for me, as it would have been for anyone else, but I try to take it positively. I try to focus on things that I have in my control. I keep my good performances for Team India in the past (be it in Australia, or England, or my performance in India) as my motivation. I always try to play for the team to win. Whether it is Saurashtra or Sussex, I keep my target as contributing to the team. So, getting a chance to get back into the Indian team will have the same motivation from my end even now," Pujara concluded.
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In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, Pujara scored 402 runs in seven matches for Saurashtra at an average of 40.20. He smashed a double-century versus Chhattisgarh. His County Championship stints with Sussex have been equally productive. In the 2024 County Championship Division Two, Pujara accumulated 501 runs in nine innings, including two hundreds.
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