Anilbhai told me there's nothing wrong with my batting: Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara continued his fine form as he hit a fine 119, his 9th overall, on day one of the 2nd Test at Vizag. The right-hander looked fluent in his approach and forged a 226 run stand with skipper Virat Kohli for the 3rd wicket. Pujara, speaking after the end of play today stated that he didn’t make any change in his technique but the intent has surely changed on the advice of head coach Anil Kumble.

Earlier, Pujara drew a lot of flak for his slow approach during the Caribbean tour but since then he has bounced back and has posted three back-to-back centuries and three fifties from five Tests. He reveals that he sought help from Kumble at that time but the head coach advised him that everything was fine with his batting.

“I have not changed much as far as technique is concerned. It’s just the intent. The way I started off against New Zealand I was just missing out on 100s.

“I spoke to Anilbhai and he told me ‘there’s nothing wrong in the way I’m batting. Probably the area which I can improve is the ‘intent’ and that’s what I worked on,” Pujara said. Pujara scored 119 and with skipper Virat Kohli (151 batting) put on 226 for the third wicket.

“Completing hundred with a six was special to me. As I started well in the first Test and getting a century at home was special to me. “I just wanted to continue my form and wanted to capitalise. Myself and Virat wanted to build a partnership and it’s a crucial one for the team.”

Pujara played bit openly today, batting at a strike rate of close to 60. His knock included 12 fours and two sixes.

“There was one error where he did not control the pull shot well. The way he was batting and judging the bounce we felt if we could continue rotating the strike it would become easy as we both of us were in control.”

Showering praise on the skipper, he said: “He (Virat) likes to play his shots. I always enjoy batting with him. He likes to dominate. We just wanted to capitalize on the situation. I enjoyed batting with him.” Pujara survived run out scares twice on 22 in the first session but asserted that there was no ‘communication gap’.

“We just didn’t judge the singles well especially in the first session. We had a chat in the lunch break. If you see in the second session the way we were running was much much better. We had a chat during lunch time and things were better.”

“I’ve played with all of the cricketers right from junior level. I know most of the guys really well. It’s about understanding the situation, not the partners.”

Asked about the assessment of his pitch, Pujara said, “Day one is always good for batting in India. I don’t know how it will shape tomorrow. We are looking to put up a good total. It may turn a bit more from day two.”