IND vs ENG: It Would Be One Of The Best Test Series Victory For India - Cheteshwar Pujara

Senior Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara said if the Indian team manages to win the Test series in England then it would go down as one of the best victories for them in the history of the game.

The Indian cricket team is scheduled to play England in one Test, three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals in England in the month of July. The only Test match of the tour is the rescheduled Test for the five-match Test series during India’s tour of England in 2021.

India leads 2-1 in the Test series against England

India were leading 2-1 and before they could take on England in the fifth Test in Manchester, their contingent was hit with a series of COVID-19 cases and eventually the match was deferred.

Both Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England Cricket Board (ECB) mutually decided to reschedule the fifth Test in 2022, where India were already scheduled to play white-ball fixtures.

It will probably be one of the best victories for India: Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara has been named in the 16-member Test squad for the rescheduled fifth Test in Birmingham. India would rely on their experienced red-ball campaigner to score runs against Anderson & co. Pujara will also take a cue from his county stint with Sussex in the 2022 County Championship, scoring 624 runs at an average of 124.80 in just 7 innings.

“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 told BCCI.tv from Leicestershire ahead of the four-day warm-up fixture.

“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,” he added.

Pujara is part of Leicestershire’s playing XI against India in the warm-up game from June 23 to June 27. Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna are also playing for the county club against the Rohit Sharma-led side.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: Indian Team Needs Cheteshwar Pujara Experience In The Fifth Test: WV Raman