“Scoring runs in Ranji Trophy is not a piece of cake” – Cheteshwar Pujara feels there is still fuel left in his tank

India’s veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara is optimistic of making a comeback into the national team. Pujara was ignored for the two Test matches against South Africa and could not make the cut in the five-match Test series against England.

However, the Saurashtra batter is not giving up on his dream of making a return to the team. Pujara is currently the fourth-highest run-getter in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season as he has amassed 673 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 74.77, including two centuries and as many fifties.

Pujara said as quoted by Hindustan Times: “Definitely. The way I have been batting and keeping up with my fitness, I am very confident. Scoring runs in Ranji Trophy is not a piece of cake, even though people may want to say it. There is no DRS and decisions don’t always go your way. To keep scoring one has to work hard and be at the top of the game. I hope I will be able to continue to contribute at whichever level I get an opportunity.”

Giving examples of James Anderson and tennis legend Novak Djokovic, Pujara feels age is just a number.

“I genuinely feel that age is just a number. You have the example of James Anderson who is bowling fast at 41 and is still England’s best bowler. Novak Djokovic recently said that 35 is the new 25,” added Pujara.

Pujara has scored more than 7,000 runs, including 19 centuries, in 103 Tests at an average of 43.60. The experienced batter feels age is no longer a barrier for selection.

“Dynamics of the game are changing and players are getting fitter. I don’t think age is any longer a barrier. Particularly for players who play only one format, which I think has helped me immensely. If I am playing only Tests, I can maintain my body better. You just have to keep working on fitness. That holds true even if you are a 25-year-old,” said Pujara.

“For a cricketer, new peaks keep coming. It’s about working on your game, refining it. For the last one-and-half years, I have been working on my sweep shots, my reverse sweep as well as lofted shots,” he added.

The selectors didn’t turn to Pujara despite multiple injuries in the Indian team.