SA vs IND 2018: As A Unit We Are Well Prepared, Says Cheteshwar Pujara

Having toured South Africa twice before, Cheteshwar Pujara certainly knows a thing or two about the conditions in the African country. With Virat Kohli & Co. gearing up for their first major overseas challenge, the Indian batting mainstay admitted that the bouncy pitches of South Africa will be a challenge for India and stressed on the importance of leaving the ball well on such tracks.

Expectations are sky-high from the current side which is sitting atop the ICC Test rankings for quite some time now and has arrived in the rainbow nation after nine consecutive series win. India’s record in South Africa has been nothing short of a disaster so far. Since 1992 when India first toured South Africa, the visitors have won just two of the 17 Tests they have played in South Africa. Of the six-Test series in South Africa, the Proteas have won five with a 1-1 drawback in the 2010/11 season being India’s best return.

However, the current Indian side has been tipped to end the nation’s long wait for a series win in South Africa, and before the players take the field, Pujara delivered an important advice for them.

“It is important to leave the ball well, especially overseas. Once you move out of Asia, there is enough bounce in the pitches and that is the reason one should be able to leave the ball,” said Pujara after a practice session.

“It (the adjustment) is both technical and mental. The good thing is that most of the players have been here before. Personally, I have been here twice (2010-11 and 2013-14). It is about knowing your game, knowing the conditions and you just need to apply yourself,” he added.

India’s decision to not play a warm-up game ahead of the important series has raised a lot of eyebrows, but Pujara believes the team is well-prepared to take on the Proteas.

“See, when we were playing at home against Sri Lanka, we had the South Africa series in our minds. We had prepared few things even in India. I don’t think we are in any rush, there is plenty of time to prepare,” he said.

“Yes, there will be some bounce and that is always a challenge. But this time we have enough preparation and we would like to back ourselves and try and execute the things which we have done over the past one and a half month.

“I think the experience is most important. You know what to expect from the pitch, what to expect from the opposition. Nothing can match the experience of scoring on such pitches. You know what you want to do as a batsman and even as a team,” he added.

The drought in Cape Town has raised speculations that the Newlands pitch might not get the amount of water needed to have a fast and bouncy track over five days. However, Pujara is not overthinking about the tracks and is just focusing on his preparation.

“We are not bothered about the kind of pitches they will prepare. We will just try to focus on our processes. We have a clear gameplan, if it is a flat wicket or a grassy one,” he said.

The India number three also refrained from speaking on South Africa and instead said the visitors are well prepared to tackle all situations. He also said India’s formidable bowling strength gives the visitors a good chance in the series.

“It is up to South Africa how they want to prepare. It doesn’t matter who plays for them. As a unit we are well prepared. Our pace attack is also much better this time. They are quick. We have that advantage this time,” said Pujara.

“I can mention the Australia Test series at home. Our pacers picked so many wickets even though the pitches were flat. There will be lot of assistance here and I am sure they have made their game plans by now.”

India is set to spend a considerable time this year away from home with the series against England, and Australia lined up. It will be an opportunity for the team to make amends for India’s dismal overseas performances in recent times and Pujara believes the team can go down as one of the best in the history if it manages to do well this year.

“Yes, we have that opportunity. If we do well here and in England and Australia. We have a team which can dominate overseas and it will be one of the best teams India have ever had (if we do well in South Africa, England and Australia),” he said.

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