India vs Australia: Cheteshwar Pujara has named the historic 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the most challenging in his life.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 5, 2023 16:03 IST
Cheteshwar Pujara plays a shot. (PTI Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Indian middle-order batter Cheteshwar Pujara feels that the 2018-19 tour of Australia was the most challenging series in his career. Pujara, who has been a rock at the Indian middle order, played to incredible tours of Australia, where the Indian team won back to back Test match series.
Speaking about the historic tour of Australia, where he scored the highest runs in the Indian batting line-up – 521, Pujara said that it was the best series of his career.
“I’ve enjoyed a few good series. But that was the best series of my cricketing career. The way I was batting, concentrating, there was a lot of physical and mental stress during that series. Every game was a challenge,” Pujara told Times of India.
Australia are coming in as the best Test team in the world who have won matches in all conditions this season. Stating that they are a highly competitive side, Pujara said that he liked that kind of battle.
“They are a competitive side. They throw a challenge at you and I’m someone who likes that kind of battle. It’s not just the verbal battle, but the cricketing battle. They are always a fighting team. As a player, whenever the team is in a difficult situation, your role is to ensure that you pull them out of trouble,” the middle order batter said.
“There have been times when I’ve played such important knocks and most of them have come against the Australians. I think it’s about being mentally strong about what you want to achieve for your team, for your country,” the batter further added.
Pujara will be paired with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul/Shubman Gill in the middle order and will have to hold fort against a strong bowling line-up from the Australians.
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