Pursuit of consistency revs up Pujara

It was an almost faultless exhibition of batting for eight-and-a-half hours when he scored his first double century, but it is the 135 he scored in Mumbai that Cheteshwar Pujara rates higher.

It was an almost faultless exhibition of batting for eight-and-a-half hours when he scored his first double century, but it is the 135 he scored in Mumbai that Cheteshwar Pujara rates higher.

“This innings was better than Ahmedabad, it was more satisfying because we were in trouble and the team needed a bit of score on the board. And I thought even the wicket was difficult to bat on,” said Pujara.

The Saurashtra batsman has shown tremendous powers of concentration and amassed 382 runs in his three innings while spending four minutes short of 17 hours at the crease. He said he strives to achieve a high level of consistency and it motivates him to keep going.

There were worried faces in the Indian camp when Pujara took a fierce sweep from Alastair Cook on the body while fielding at short-leg. “I have got a bit of soreness on my rib but I should be fine.” Pujara’s next aim is to establish himself in the ODI team.