Cheteshwar Pujara starts bowling in nets for ODI selection

Cheteshwar Pujara to concentrate on bowling

Disappointed at being overlooked for One-Day Internationals by the team management time and again despite scoring heavily in the domestic circuit and in Test cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara, in a desperate attempt to make the cut, has started to concentrate on improving his bowling skills to strengthen his case further.

IBN Live quoted Pujara: “I have also started bowling in nets so that I can contribute as a part-time bowler. I want to help my team with part-time bowling if the captain wants me to. I am looking to bring improvement in my game, most important being playing on the rise. I am targeting specific areas, which include analysis of my batting and what mistakes I am committing in the middle. It will help me in the longer run.”

Regarding IPL, he added: “If I can prove myself in the IPL, I am confident that I can get success in ODIs too. I had played a couple of good innings for my last franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore which proved that I have the talent to excel in the shortest format also. It’s all about getting more opportunities in the coming future. I am looking forward to have a successful IPL.”

Pujara made his debut in the shorter format of the game last year in a bilateral series against Zimbabwe. But since then he has remained out of favour for reasons only known to MS Dhoni and Duncan Fletcher.

At a time when the Indian batsmen are being found wanting against quality pace attacks in overseas conditions, the team management should consider drafting in a quality batsman like Pujara. The middle-order batsmen has all the makings of becoming one of India’s most consistent players in both forms of the game. He averages 55 in List A matches and scores at a decent rate, too.

On whether he could be effective for Kings 11 Punjab, he opined: “It’s a perception. I have a good ODI domestic record. I have scored runs at an impressive strike rate in domestic matches, so I don’t think it would be a problem for me adjusting to the T20 format.”

“In Twenty20, people expect big shots from you. I need to be aggressive from the first ball. I have to take my chances. I have started my preparation and the good part is there’s still a month left before the tournament gets underway.

“I am looking forward to my association with Kings XI Punjab. I believe playing for KXIP will give me more exposure and experience. I have always loved the streets of Chandigarh city. I have played quite a few domestic games there and somewhere, I have this hidden love for the city.”