Cheteshwar Pujara resumes training despite uncertain Indian cricket season

Cheteshwar Pujara is known for his diligence on and off the cricket field. The No.3 batsman for India in test cricket who is known for his grind has yet again shown that his secret to success is his commitment to the game. Despite cricket not looking likely to resume in India any time soon, Pujara has resumed training.

For the 32-year old Pujara, the first thing that players need to do is to reacclimatise themselves to the sun, having been indoors for an extended period of time. "You have to start at some point and it is important ", the soft-spoken top-order batsman said in an interview with Press Trust of India (PTI). "If you are going to the ground, you are getting used to the sun and outdoor environment. Most players have been indoors for such a long time," he added.

With the fate of the Indian domestic season uncertain, Pujara’s next assignment might make him wait till December till he gets on the cricket field again in a competitive game. “I don't see any series happening for the next two-three months, so one has to take things gradually," Pujara noted.

Pujara’s mental fortitude and his incredible concentration have made him a top batsman in Test cricket. He believes that such powers will hold him in good stead when the game resumes. "If you are mentally tough, you can take a long break comfortably. Test matches don't happen frequently so one has to play domestic cricket. It was not such a big thing for me and to come back from it, I will be fresh and more eager to play. The mental challenge is not an issue for me," he proclaimed.

The uncertainty surrounding the game however does not deter Pujara, who is only thinking too far into the future. "Nobody knows what the situation will be three-four months down the line when the next series will be held. The next few months are about preparation and getting back into the game. It is too far to think about the next series. Your body will start moving a bit once you have a routine. As a cricketer, it is important to start whenever possible and adhere to the government guidelines (on social distancing) at the same time," said Pujara.

Cricketers, like in any other profession are bound to experience difficulty upon resumption and Pujara echoed those sentiments. ”The first week (of training) is tough. After a week you are back to normal because you have played this game for such a long time, experience matters a lot,” he confirmed. But, he believes that working on his fitness during the time off the field is aiding him upon his return. "Obviously, it feels a little different when you are holding a bat after a long time but because I worked on my fitness, it is helping now that I am playing again," he added.

[Cricbuzz inputs]