IND vs AUS 2023: Never thought that I will play 100 Test matches – Cheteshwar Pujara

India’s veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara will play his 100th Test match when he will turn up in the second Test match against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series. Pujara, who will become the 13th Indian player to join the elite club, admitted he never thought he will go on to play 100 Test matches for the country.

Pujara has been a yeoman of Indian cricket over the years as he has performed consistently in the red-ball version. The right-hander from Saurashtra has scored 7021 runs in 99 Test matches at an average of 44.16.

Pujara has been rock solid while batting at number three and he has delivered for the team in almost all conditions.

On the eve of the second Test, Pujara shared his thoughts on his cricketing journey: “When I started playing cricket and then made my (Test) debut, I never thought about playing 100 Test matches. For me, it is always about being in the present and not thinking too far ahead. So, for me, I thought before this series started, and that’s when I realized that I will be playing my hundredth Test match. In a career, you always go through ups and downs, and you have to fight through those periods.”

The experienced batter added he wants to do well in every Test match he plays for the country.

“For me, I never thought that I will play 100 Test matches, as that wasn’t my goal. I have always been a player who wants to do well in every Test match and series. The 100th Test match is something that happens through the journey, and that is something that you can’t aim for. But when you continue playing good cricket, eventually that happens.”

Meanwhile, Pujara has played some of his best Test knocks against Australia and he admitted that the Aussies have always been a tough opponent.

“Australia has always been a tough opposition, England too are challenging opponents; even New Zealand. Our performance against them has been really good. We have fought well against them.”

Pujara picked James Anderson, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Pat Cummins as the toughest bowlers he has faced in his long career.

“Speaking of challenging bowlers, James Anderson in England, Dale Steyn, and Morne Morkel during my first South Africa trip in 2010-11. … Pat Cummins in Australia is one of the most challenging bowlers.”

Cheteshwar Pujara will be felicitated before the Delhi Test match between India and Australia begins on Friday.