The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will start between India and Australia from Friday. This Test will be special for Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who will be playing his 100th match. The 35-year-old Pujara is not fazed by his age and is taking it one match at a time.
Pujara said in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, ‘I have not set any target for myself. I want to live in the present. I am focusing on one Test match at a time. I don’t think about how long I will play. It is important to enjoy the game. It is important that you stay at the top of your game and when you are not contributing or playing to your potential then you can think about the next step. I have just turned 35 and there is still some time left.’
Cheteshwar Pujara will become the 13th player from India to play 100 Tests. He made his Test debut against Australia in 2010 and worked hard to cement his place in the team in the longer format. Talking about his 100th Test, Pujara said, ‘Yes, it will be my 100th Test match, but there are two more Tests after that, which are going to be very important for us to reach the WTC final.’ Pujara said that discipline is the key to progress in Test cricket as it tests character, patience and improvisation.
Pujara said, ‘There is a test of your character, improvement, patience and as a person. How you behave off the field is what matters. It affects you in the field. If you don’t have discipline in Test cricket, you will see the results on the field. This is the reason why Test cricket is special.’
Let us tell you that after winning the Nagpur Test by an innings and 132 runs, the Indian team took a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia is crucial for the Indian team to qualify for the WTC final. If the Indian team has to reach the WTC final, it will have to beat Australia 3-0. It is necessary for the Indian team to win two out of the next three tests.