Cheteshwar Pujara has been considered solely a Test batsman over the course of his international career so far, but he hopes all of that will change.
Despite an average of 54.12 in List A cricket, Pujara has featured in just five ODIs for the Indian team. The reason behind that is considered to be his strike-rate, something he has looked to improve on.
The Saurashtra batsman is now aiming to deliver in the shortest format of the game. He went unsold in last year’s IPL auctions, but is confident of getting a gig this time around after impressive performances in the DY Patil T20 tournament.
Pujara will play for Saurashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and good performances there should help him land an IPL contract as he bids to stamp his authority on T20 cricket.
“I definitely want to make a mark in that particular format. I have done well in T20 matches. I played in DY Patil T20 tournament and got a hundred and two fifties. I am very confident that I can play well in other formats of the game,” said Pujara
“I am looking forward to play in the IPL. I have prepared well, especially when it comes to T20, I have more number of shots. I did well in the DY Patil T20 trophy.”
Pujara added that he is confident that his tag as a Test specialist will go away sooner rather than later as he looks to prove his doubters wrong.
Really high mountain to climb...and Pujara has done it twice. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/sZ5eQWxyEl
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 24, 2017
“I just will have to keep playing other formats and keep scoring runs and probably I will have to wait for my opportunity. I am improving, playing more shots and playing with higher strike-rate,” he said.
“So probably that’s [being a Test specialist] just the tag, a perception that will change in time to come.”
