One of India’s best Test batters of his technology, Cheteshwar Pujara, continues to knock of the nationwide group’s doorways after being dropped. While just a few others like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have not cemented their spots within the group, Pujara continues to pile runs within the Ranji Trophy, making the selectors’ heads flip. But, it is not at all times simple to deal with the duty at hand when a participant has been dropped from the nationwide group. But, for Pujara, it is his ardour that continues to drive him.

Pujara, a veteran of 103 Tests for India, is already 36, an age the place making a comeback to the nationwide group may very well be deemed robust by many. But, the motivation that the Saurashtra participant has, is aware of no bounds.

In an interview, Pujara was requested how he ready himself for the Ranji Trophy after getting dropped from the Indian group. His response is a message to selectors in itself.

“By playing a competitive club match in Mumbai just before the Ranji season. I just love this game. I am passionate about it. I got a hundred in that match against Dhawal Kulkarni, Sandeep Sharma, Shams Mulani and Shivam Dube. My club team was weaker against the opposition. So, I wanted to ensure I put my best foot forward and we won the match,” Pujara instructed Hindustan Times.

“I am saying this because that’s exactly why I play for Saurashtra. I want us to qualify for the Ranji knockouts. It’s about having the same passion whether it is Saurashtra, Sussex or my club. Obviously, there is different pride playing for the country. But you keep continuing the hard work. Try and follow the same routine,” he added.

When requested if enjoying home competitions will get harder after witnessing the height of worldwide cricket, Pujara was as soon as once more spot-on along with his reply.

“For a cricketer, new peaks keep coming. It’s about working on your game, refining it. For the last one-and-half years, I have been working on my sweep shots, my reverse sweep as well as lofted shots. There are times in Ranji Trophy when you encounter tough pitches, where teams are bowled out for 150-200 and the matches finish in two-and-half days. That’s when it doesn’t matter whether you have played 100 Tests or have 10,000 Test runs, you are bound to get out. That’s when you need some unorthodox shots. And it’s paying off. I have seen results for me this season on difficult pitches,” he stated.

The veteran batter has already scored 673 runs at a median of 74.77 on this Ranji Trophy season. His objective of scoring runs for India, hasn’t died but both.

“Definitely”, The manner I’ve been batting and maintaining with my health, I’m very assured. Scoring runs in Ranji Trophy is just not a bit of cake, though individuals might wish to say it. There is not any DRS and selections do not at all times go your manner. To maintain scoring one has to work arduous and be on the prime of the sport. I hope I can proceed to contribute at whichever stage I get a possibility.”