IND vs ENG: "It Will Be One Of The Best Victories For India" - Cheteshwar Pujara Ahead Of 5th Test Against England

India batter Cheteshwar Pujara mentioned that  if India can win the fifth Test and the series against England, it will be “one of the biggest victories” for the country. The rescheduled match between the two teams will be played at Edgbaston from July 1 onwards and India leads the series 2-1 after 4 Tests.

The five-match Test series in England started in 2021, but the final match was rescheduled to July of this year after a COVID-19 scare inside the Indian camp.

Both the teams have many changes including the big ones as both England and India have new captains and head coaches. England has Ben Stokes taking over from Joe Root, while Brendon McCullum replaced Chris Silverwood. For India, Rahul Dravid has become the new head coach and Rohit Sharma has taken over the reins of the team in longest format.

All Of Us Are Looking Forward To This Test Match: Cheteshwar Pujara  

Cheteshwar Pujara will be eager to perform in this match as he is making sort of a comeback into the Indian team as he was dropped for the home Test series against Sri Lanka. But Pujara piled up runs after runs in the county championship for Sussex, forcing his way back into contention.

Speaking to BCCI.tv from Leicester ahead of the match, which will commence on July 1, Pujara remarked that Team India are “eager” to repeat last year’s success.

He said: “I think the most important thing is that it’s a good bunch of players, we have quality fast bowlers. So the way the guys did in the last four matches here, I am sure they are eager to do the same thing again. If we can win this particular Test, win this series on the English soil, I think it will probably be one of the best victories for India. All of us are looking forward to this Test match.”

Pujara called the final Test a “good challenge”, saying Rohit and Co. need to “regroup” and go back to the things that worked for them in 2021.

He added:

“I think it’s a good challenge for us. Yes, we are 2-1 ahead in the series but at the same time, this is the most important Test match of the series. It’s after a long time so we just need to regroup and understand our strengths. The good part for us is we are here early so there’s plenty of time to prepare for all the players.

If we play to our potential, stick to our strengths, understand what we need as a team and what got us success in those last three-four Test matches – we just need to repeat those things. But, at the same time, there are some changes even in the England squad so we need to understand their strengths and try and have a strategy [ready for that]… We need to plan well for this Test match.”

India will play Leicestershire in a four-day warmup match beginning June 23.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah And Prasidh Krishna To Play For Leicestershire Against India In Warmup Game