India Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara has no doubts about the gas left in his tank when it comes to the game. Despite being out of the favours of the national selectors, the Saurashtra star has worked hard in the Ranji Trophy 2024 and is reaping rewards in the form of accumulating runs. Pujara is determined to keep going and it doesn’t matter which circuit it is.
Pujara has no plans to slow down
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Pujara confidently says that there is more cricket left in him, citing his batting and fitness. He adds that scoring runs in Ranji Trophy isn’t a piece of cake no matter what people say. He dives into his omission from the national side and remarks that there is no DRS and hence decisions can’t go his way all the time.
“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,” Pujara says.
Pujara adds that age is just a number and elaborates on the fitness dimension that is associated with ageing. He cites examples of 41-year-old James Anderson and tennis star Novak Djokovic to supplement his argument. The veteran believes he can maintain his fitness if he plays only Tests and insists that one should continue working on it consistently.
“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. Dynamics of the game is 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”
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