Cheteshwar Pujara Keen to Shrug Off Test Specialist Tag

India’s premier Test batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara is keen to free himself from the burden of Test specialist tag and has somewhat aimed to feature in the limited-overs format for the Virat Kohli-led Indian Cricket team.

Meanwhile, he will represent Yorkshire in the forthcoming Royal London One-Day Cup. Moreover, he hopes that some good form there can reignite his One-day International ambition.

The 30-year-old Pujara batsman is eager to set aside his tag and feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2014, he last took part in the cash-rich league.

He also played the last of his five ODIs that same year, with a top score of 27.

In 91 List A matches, he has scored 10-hundred and 25 fifties with a best of 158 not out, averaging 54.17.

However, surprisingly, prior to February, he had not played a List A game of any kind since 2015. But had a good return scoring 383 runs from nine matches taking his team to the final.

Pujara wants to be a part of the ODI team:

Yorkshire sees him as the ideal man to anchor their RL50 innings. Ahead of Friday’s televised opener against Durham, Pujara revealed his long-cherished dream.

Calm and composed Pujara admitted that he has worked to be a part of IPL and shorter formats. Stating that his priority still remains Tets cricket, Pujara admitted that he has worked on different shots which will help him.

“I’ve worked a lot to be part of the IPL and the shorter formats, especially one-day cricket. I want to be part of the Indian team in ODI cricket and, as I say, the IPL. My priority remains Test cricket. But to be a part of the ODI team, you need to have different skills. I’ve worked on shots, which will definitely help,” Pujara said to Yorkshire’s website.

The classical batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is confident that he can adapt to the change in conditions.

“I’m very confident my game can adapt to the shorter formats. I don’t have to change massively. I think the basics remain the same, and in ODI cricket you have five fielders inside the circle for the whole 50 overs. Once you are in, it’s easier to play your shots with the white ball,” he concluded.

Also read: We are playing with Team India, not Virat Kohli: Asghar Stanikzai