Cheteshwar Pujara defends timing of declaration

Cheteshwar Pujara defends timing of declaration

PTIUpdated: Saturday, October 05, 2019, 11:35 PM IST
article-image
India's Cheteshwar Pujara | AP Photo

Visakhapatnam: Senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara on Saturday said that Indian team timed their second innings declaration in such a manner that they didn't have to start with a soft semi new-ball on the fifth day of their first Test against South Africa.

Asked if the timing of declaration was right, Pujara said,"It was. We did not want to bowl too many overs because we wanted to keep the ball hard for start of day five. You don't want to end up bowling too many overs and once the ball gets soft, it gets slightly easier to bat."

"We picked up a crucial wicket (Dean Elgar). So as a team, we are happy with the way things went today," said Pujara. He also felt that it won't be easy for batting on a fifth day track. "Hopefully, on day five, this pitch wouldn't be easy to bat on and there will be a little more assistance for spinners. We have already seen that the pitch offers variable bounce, so the fast bowlers will also come into play. I think so there is enough rough for spinners and the cracks will open up bit more on day five," India's ever-dependable No 3 said. Pujara is expecting Ravindra Jadeja to exploit the roughs as certain deliveries have either kicked up or stayed low from the spots created.

"There will be more bounce for the spinners, from the rough. If we see the variable bounce for Jaddu (Jadeja) in that delivery against Elgar, I think the ball hit the crack and kept little low. So if there is variable bounce, I think the spinners will enjoy hitting the ball on the cracks. But fast bowlers will be difficult to play on these cracks," said Pujara.

"It was a difficult pitch to bat on. It was not easy to rotate the strike and it was not easy to time the ball well and especially with my game and the kind of shots that I play, I was finding it little difficult early on. I knew that I once I was set, I will able to know the pace of the pitch. "Once I knew that (pace of the pitch), I actually changed by point of impact little later on. Yes, earlier on it was bit difficult but once I realized that, I played a few shots and obviously with the same technique." Rohit batting at an impressive strike rate also helped Pujara to settle down. Talking about Rohit's batting and his second hundred of the series, Pujara was all praise.

"The way Rohit was batting, I felt we were scoring at a decent pace and I could take some extra time to settle down. He batted really well in the first innings also but in the second innings, situation was different. (Especially), to play all those strokes that he did on this wicket.

"Our partnership was crucial. Our communication was good as he we have batted together since our under-19 days." Rohit's batting is pure entertainment and Pujara couldn't agree more.

"It was a joy to watch him bat. Hitting sixes is his strength, he has excelled in white ball cricket. The way he hits sixes is incredible and and as a Test batsman, who wants to improve his ODI and T20 cricket, there is lots to learn from him. Especially, when it comes to hitting the ball out of the park," added Pujara.

RECENT STORIES

India-Pakistan Bilateral Cricket In Australia?

India-Pakistan Bilateral Cricket In Australia?

WATCH: Indian Cricket Fans Offer Milk To Posters Of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma In Pune; Prayers Held...

WATCH: Indian Cricket Fans Offer Milk To Posters Of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma In Pune; Prayers Held...

WATCH: Sara Tendulkar & Shubman Gill Avoid Getting Photographed Together At Jio World Plaza Event In...

WATCH: Sara Tendulkar & Shubman Gill Avoid Getting Photographed Together At Jio World Plaza Event In...

Virender Sehwag Birthday Special: Doting Dad Moments Of The Cricketer With Sons Aryavir And Vedant

Virender Sehwag Birthday Special: Doting Dad Moments Of The Cricketer With Sons Aryavir And Vedant

Washington Sundar Birthday Special: Interesting Facts About India's Left-Handed Top-Order Batsman

Washington Sundar Birthday Special: Interesting Facts About India's Left-Handed Top-Order Batsman