http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 – Cricket News Update
Following his inclusion in India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed his eagerness to perform well and cement a place for himself in the extended-overs line-up.
“I've worked really hard for this. Now that I have got my chance, I want to bat the way I did on my debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746,” said Pujara.
“I was also part of the squad to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757. I didn't get too many runs there, but it was a great learning experience. I got a feel of Test cricket in 2010 and I want to use that confidence and start all over again.”
The 24-year-old made his Test debut for the national side in October 2010 against Australia at Bangalore, during which he made an immediate impression, scoring a match-winning 72 in the fourth innings.
His performance earned him a spot on the squad for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750’s following Test series against South Africa, but Pujara failed to deliver there, registering scores of 19, 10, and 2.
Since then, the right-hander has not played Test cricket for the Men In Blue, and spent most of 2011 on the sidelines owing to a knee injury. However, he revealed that he was paying strict attention to his fitness now, and adhering to a scheduled prepared
by physios at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
“Unfortunately, I was out for six months ... The good thing is that I am fit now. I did well for India 'A' in the West Indies,” Pujara pointed out.
A veteran of 64 first-class matches, with 4639 runs (including 14 first-class centuries) at an average of 53.32 to his credit, Pujara caught the attention of the selectors once again during India A’s recent tour of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760.
With 252 runs in three matches to his credit, he remained the top-scorer, registering two half-centuries during the first Test against the West Indies A at Bridgetown, and following that up with a 67 in the next Test at Kingstown.
With the retirement of veteran batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RG-Sharma-c2309, slots opened up in India’s Test line-up, and selectors zeroed in on Pujara. If included in the playing XI, the 24-year-old will be facing off against the Black Caps for
the first Test of the 2-match series, due to be played in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hyderabad-c792 from August 23 to 27.
Tags: