Cheteshwar Pujara claims he couldn’t have executed higher throughout Sydney Test fifty

“I couldn’t have done anything better than what I was doing,” senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara mentioned, placing up a stout defence of his ultra-defensive batting that got here in for heavy criticism on the third day of the third Test in opposition to Australia.
Pujara mentioned it was some good bowling by the Australians which pressured him to crawl to his slowest ever Test half-century.
Pujara scored 50 off 176 balls as his sluggish batting helped Australia acquire full management of the third Test with an total lead of 197 runs.
“I was batting well and got a good ball. I just have to accept it. I couldn’t have done anything better than what I was doing. I feel I just have to bat the way, I know,” Pujara mentioned throughout the day-end media convention.
According to Pujara, his nemesis Patrick Cummins bowled the “ball of the series” about which he couldn’t do something.
“He bowls unplayable deliveries. I felt that was the best ball of this series. I don’t think I could have done anything about that ball which kicked from back of length, I had to play that ball as there was extra bounce. When its not your day, the margin of error is very little,” he defined.
READ | BCCI lodge grievance over alleged racial abuse of Bumrah, Siraj
He additionally didn’t pay a lot credence to theories {that a} finger harm sustained throughout nets on the MCG was the explanation for not having the ability to play freely.
“Not really, I think. I don’t think it put any trouble as far as my batting is concerned. It’s not easy and I am not hundred percent (fit). I won’t say I am completely normal. This was something that was expected and I can manage this little bit of pain. It’s an important game so I can’t miss out,” Pujara mentioned.
Asked why he didn’t deliver out the hook or pull shot when Australian bowlers employed the three-man leg facet lure, Pujara successfully dodged the query.
“They bowled good line and lengths. They had fair idea of this pitch. I think we should give credit to the way they bowled. They didnt give too many loose balls,” he mentioned.
In reality he felt that distinction on this Test match has been the relative inexperience of the bowling assault.
“If you look at our fast bowling line-up, they are slightly inexperienced but they are improving day by day, they will get better. It’s a good opportunity for them to learn and I am sure we have good bunch of fast bowlers who can learn from best and get better as they play more games,” he mentioned.
EXPLAINED | How India ran themselves out on Day 3 of the Sydney Test
He termed Rishabh Pant’s dismissal because the turning level of the Indian innings.
“If you take a look at the way in which our innings was progressing, we have been in hassle solely when Rishabh acquired out. Till then we have been in a snug place. We have been 180 for 4, and we have been doing nicely. Things rotated when Rishabh acquired out after which I acquired out. We didn’t rating many after that. Losing Rishabh was a turnaround.
“If we had a partnership going, we would have certainly put a decent total on the board. Our aim was to get close to 330 or 340 but we missed out there. And yes losing Ajinkya Rahane early in the first session, was also a big blow.”
Pujara mentioned that dropping Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling within the second innings could be essential as they’re now bowler brief.
“To be sincere, it does have an effect on as we’re solely left with 4 bowlers. It places little further stress on different bowlers to come back in and put further overs. It’s by no means simple to lose a bowler and somebody like Ravindra who acquired 4 wickets in first innings and may hold bowling from one finish.
“Jadeja can land the ball on same spot and puts pressure on the batsman, he bowls many dot balls. He is always valuable not just as a bowler but also a fielder. It’s a kind of blow for us but we will comeback strongly. First session will be crucial. We will definitely put up a better show tomorrow morning.”