The veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara stated that he by no means thought that he shall be enjoying the a centesimal Test match for India when he began his profession and added that he hopes to carry the ICC World Test Championship trophy for his nation. Pujara has loved a stellar 13-year profession with India and is all set to play his a centesimal Test in Delhi on Friday. The second Test of the collection shall be held in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium from February 17 to 21. Delhi is internet hosting its first Test since December 2017. India have a 1-0 lead within the Border-Gavaskar Trophy collection.

“When I started playing cricket and then made my (Test) debut, I never thought about playing hundred Test matches. For me, it is always about being in the present and not thinking too far ahead. So, for me, I thought before this series started and that’s when I realised that I will be playing my hundredth Test match. In a career, you always go through ups and downs, and you have to fight through those periods,” Cheteshwar Pujara stated within the pre-match press convention on Thursday.

India should win the second Test in opposition to Australia in Delhi, which begins on Friday, to keep up their lead within the Test rankings and are available nearer to qualifying for the World Test Championship remaining in June. To qualify for the ultimate, India should win the collection 3-1 or 3-0.

When Pujara takes to the sector in opposition to Australia within the second Test at Delhi from February 17 onwards, he’ll develop into solely the thirteenth participant to succeed in the landmark of 100 Test matches for India. The most variety of Test matches in cricket is performed by legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who’s the one cricketer to have performed 200 matches within the longer format.

“There is a lot more to achieve. I am definitely satisfied and really excited to play this hundredth Test match. But at the same time, we are playing an important series. So, hopefully, we win this Test match and move on to win another Test match which will ensure we will qualify for the WTC final. My dream is to win a WTC final for the Indian team, which didn’t happen in the last final. But hopefully, once we qualify, we move towards that,” he added.

Pujara has performed 99 Tests to date. He has scored 7,021 runs at a mean of 44.15 in his 13-year-long Test profession, having made his debut in 2010. He has a complete of 19 centuries and 34 fifties within the format, with the perfect rating of 206*. In 5 matches final yr, he scored 409 runs at a mean of 45.44. One century and three fifties got here out of his bat final yr, with the perfect rating of 102*.

Pujara additionally expressed gratitude for the help of his associates, household, and coaches all through his life, particularly his father Arvind, who has been his coach since he was somewhat baby and shall be current on Friday when he performs in his a centesimal Test match.

“It means a lot to me and my family. My father has played a very important role in my cricketing career. He’s someone who has coached me since my childhood, so he’s very excited and is going to be here tomorrow with my wife, who’s been very supportive,” Pujara stated.

“In a cricketer’s life, family support is very important and I am very thankful to my family, friends, to the coaches whom I have worked with over some time and who have played a very important role in my cricketing career,” stated the veteran batter.

Asked about his fashion and method to hitting and the way in which to discovering success, Pujara responded that it was not easy and persistence was essential.

“Patience does not come on its own, you need mental strength for that. Preparations is the key, I scored runs at junior cricket, age group cricket. It requires hard work Over a period of time and I think when you focus on your game, eventually you will succeed,” Pujara stated.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)

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