http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 tour helped me prepare for bigger challenges says Pujara – Cricket News Update
After scoring his maiden Test century during the opening day of the ongoing first Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 A ‘s tour of the Caribbean had indeed helped him prepare for bigger challenges ahead.
Pujara took over the crucial no.3 spot in the national team following the retirement of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Dravid-c2229, and showed immense composure to end the day on an unbeaten 119, as the Men in Blue registered 307 for 5 at stumps.
His efforts were all the more pleasing, considering the failures of the three experienced statesmen of the team – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Tendulkar-c2556 – which left with game competitively balanced at 125 for 3.
However, Pujara and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737 shared an important 125-run stand, giving proof of their ability to replace the old hands. While the latter departed after scoring a half-century, Pujara went about doing his business in a disciplined manner and scored his
first ton to guide his side to safety. This was his first game for the national team in over 20 months but could certainly prove to be one of many to come.
He was included ahead of the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajinkya-Rahane-c970 and S Badrinath, and much was to do with his performances against the West Indies A team, where he was the only batsman to offer consistency during the extended-overs leg of the tour. Most notable performances
came in the Barbados match where he scored half-centuries in either innings to help his side recover after they had lost early wickets.
He was tasked with a similar recovery at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, and triumphed emphatically, to stake a permanent claim to the no.3 position.
"We were playing in tough conditions on the A tour to the West Indies. The series helped me prepare well for bigger challenges," said Pujara, who captained the Men in Blue on the tour.
Regarding the state of the pitch, Pujara reckons that the pitch will even slower as the game progresses.“I had faced a similar bowling attack earlier and I knew the ground well. Interestingly, the pitch is slowing down and it is starting to turn."
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