What went through Cheteshwar Pujara’s mind while taking 54 balls to get going at Wanderers

Indian cricket team’s Cheteshwar Pujara was a picture of concentration during that tumultuous morning session on Day 1 of the third Test vs South Africa cricket team at the Wanderers, but he admitted to taking note of what was happening around him.

Cheteshwar Pujara is known to be a grafter but the Wanderers pitch demanded something extra from him on Wednesday as he took 54 balls to open his account en route to a defensive fifty. Things had got to such a point where the crowd was egging him on to get that one single. And when he finally did, off Lungi Ngidi, everyone --- including his teammates in the dressing room --- had a smile on their faces. (India v South Africa Day 1 highlights | Scorecard)

India cricket team’s Cheteshwar Pujara during one of the few aggressive shots he played on the first day of the third Test against South Africa cricket team at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday. (AP)

Pujara was a picture of concentration during that tumultuous morning session but he admitted to taking note of what was happening around him.

“Yes you do notice it, because there was a lot of noise from the crowd (laughs). And even personally, obviously I wanted to get off the mark. I wasn’t seeing the number of balls I was facing, but yeah, sometimes when there is lot of noise you do notice it. Even if you are concentrating, sometimes you hear a voice from the crowd,” said Pujara after close of play on Day 1.