Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara (Image Credit: Twitter)

Indian Test No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara will make a return to the Indian Premier League after a hiatus of 7 long years. Pujara, who has represented the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past, was picked by the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in the mini-auction.

Ever since Pujara has been picked in the auction, there is a growing apprehension among a section of fans that in a bid to concentrating on improving his T20 batting, the Saireastra cricketer’s Test skills might get compromised.

Cheteshwar Pujara, IPL 2021 Auction, Chennai Super Kings
Cheteshwar Pujara.

Cheteshwar Pujara himself had such doubts during the initial stages of his career but a chat with the legendary Rahul Dravid made him realize that a batsmen’s natural game does not change.

“It all comes with experience. When I was playing the T20 format in the past, I had a little bit of a worry that what if I my Test cricket gets spoiled? Then there will be some technical error once the IPL gets over. But now I am over that. What I realised over a period of time is my natural game, my strengths, will never go away. This advice I got from Rahul bhai [Dravid] long ago, but I would still like to mention it. He told me that your natural game will not change although you try playing different shots.” Cheteshwar Pujara said.

Pujara added that he has been playing competitive cricket since 2005-06 and a season of T20 cricket will not make him forget how to bat in Test cricket.

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“I started playing cricket at an early age. I made my first-class debut in 2005-06. So it is almost 15 years now where I’ve played this game. So if I am playing the T20 format now, when I prepare for a Test series, I won’t forget Test cricket. Adapting to the T20 format and moving into Test cricket again won’t be an issue, for sure.” he added.

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