I knew a good score was just a game away, says Cheteshwar Pujara

The Saurashtra-batsman looked rock solid at the crease on the third day and stitched together a third-wicket stand of 113 runs with skipper Virat Kohli. Pujara got out for 72 while Kohli carried on to score his second ton of the series. Pujara played out 208 deliveries in the second innings and most importantly, countered the moving balls with proper defensive technique. And for that, he credited his stint in county cricket where he represented Yorkshire.

“I've been batting really well. I didn't score too many runs this season, but in county I was batting well. The way I was batting in the nets and the way I was moving my feet, I knew a good score was just a game away from a big score. I missed out on a hundred today, but it's good to get 72,” Pujara told Sky Sports after day 3.

Pujara missed out the opening game where the Indian team management went with KL Rahul at number three in the batting order but was again called back into the playing XI in the Lord’s Test as India tried Rahul as an opener in place of Shikhar Dhawan. Speaking about his omission, Pujara said that it was really difficult to warm the bench. 

“It's tough to sit out of the team, due to the team combination, but it's good to be back in the team and scoring runs. Maybe I would've started the series if I didn't play county but it's always good to play county cricket, and I played on some challenging pitches in England during the county season; on those, sometimes you do get out, but it was good to have that preparation,” said the 30-year-old batsman.

Talking about his partnership with the Indian skipper, Pujara said, “Virat is a great player, timing the ball sweetly from the first Test, and I don't think anyone can play a cover drive like he does, particularly in England. It's great to watch from the other side, particularly the drives that he plays.”

When asked about the behaviour of the pitch, Pujara replied that the track has quickened up a bit and the hosts will find it difficult to bat on the fourth day.

“The pitch has quickened up a bit compared to the first day, so I think it will be tough to bat on Day 4. Some balls are climbing from the dents and some are shooting through so it will be difficult to bat, and if we bowl in the right areas, we should be able to bowl them out tomorrow,” hoped Pujara.

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