IND vs SA: "Team Management Is Always Supportive"-Cheteshwar Pujara On Coping Up With Poor Form

Cheteshwar Pujara registered his first half-century of 2022 as he scored a defiant 53 on day three of the second Test. In the process, he added a crucial 111-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (58) who also scored his runs freely. It was their partnership that helped India get to 266 in their second innings along with Hanuma Vihari’s unbeaten 40.

After the end of the day’s play, Cheteshwar Pujara spoke to the reporters saying that the team management and the captain is supporting all the players and it is the ‘outside noise’ that constantly comes to criticism of the Indian cricketers.

“The team management has been always supportive, so I would say it’s just the outside noise. The coaching staff, the captain, everyone is behind all the players,” Pujara was quoted as saying to the reporters on Wednesday.

“And we’ve been working hard, there are times when you don’t get too many runs but, the important thing as a cricketer is about following the right routine, having good work ethics, and keep working on your game,” he stated.

Pujara had three low scores to start his series against South Africa. He scored a duck in the first innings, followed it with just 16. In the first innings of the Johannesburg Test, he scored 3 off 33 balls being criticised for his ability to not score quick runs. In this innings, however, he batted with intent and an improving strike rate getting those runs off just 86 balls and maintaining a strike rate over 60.

I Am Sure This Form Will Continue: Cheteshwar Pujara

“Because there are times when you’ll not get runs, but if you follow the right processes, you get runs on the board. So, this is what has happened today and, I am sure this form will continue and we’ll get big scores in the next game as well,” Pujara further said.

Meanwhile, the hosts find themselves in a good position after the third day’s play. Dean Elgar was unbeaten on 46 as South Africa ended day 3 on 118/2 needing another 122 runs to win. India, on the other hand, is looking to get 8 wickets for victory on day 4.

Also Read: Hanuma Vihari’s Fighting Knock Gets Praised On Twitter As India Sets 240-Run Target