Cheteshwar Pujara says he found it tough to play the pink ball in the night
Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed his reservations over facing the pink-ball, particularly in the night, stating that he found it difficult to play the swinging deliveries during the night and he also couldn't completely pick the googlies.
“This was my first game with the pink ball, enjoyed batting on this wicket, not much help for the fast bowlers.
“The most difficult session was the third one, under lights, when they took the second new ball, it moved about, it came on faster. So I think the third session is the most difficult one.
“Even when I was facing spinners, it was very difficult to pick the googly, under lights. A little difficult to pick the seam on the pink ball,” the 28-year-old told Star Sports, post his knock of 166 in the Duleep Trophy, on Monday.
The right-hander expressed slight disappointment in not being able to carry on further but was happy to have gotten a three-figure score under his belt, ahead of a long home season.
“Always good to play domestic games before a big series.Disappointed to get out on 166. People expect big from me. Getting a hundred was good though,” he added.
Happy to bat anywhere: Pujara
Elaborating a bit more on the upcoming series of Test matches, Pujara said he was looking forward to it and added that in terms of batting positions, he didn't have any specific preferences.
“Looking forward to it considering we have 13-14 matches (in the forthcoming season). New Zealand have a good batting line-up, good spinners and their fast bowlers are bowling reverse swing as well. As a batsman, we need to be careful. India has done really well so far, in India and outside India as well.
“Given a choice, I would like to bat at No 3. But I’m happy to bat wherever. I share my experience with the young cricketers, I know when I was making my India debut, the seniors helped me out,” he said.
“Sometimes you have to be prepared to bat at any number. If given a choice, and because I have scored so many runs at No 3, I know how to bat there, I know how to build an innings,” he added.
The opening Test between India and New Zealand will be played at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur from the 22nd of September.