Cheteshwar Pujara reckons his limited-overs career is still not over

Despite failing to land an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract for the past few seasons, India Test specialist Chesteshwar Pujara looks optimistic about his limited-overs career. While Pujara is a trusted figure in red ball cricket for India as well as in the English county circuit, in the shorter format it is diametrically opposite.

He has also been restricted to sporadic opportunities playing only seven ODIs for India. The 30-year-old totalled 272 runs averaging at a healthy 54.40, including one fifty; however, his strike rate has been under 70, which paints the picture. Finding no takers in the 2018 IPL auction as well, Pujara could have easily gone back and practised in his backyard in Rajkot for all important upcoming tour of England.

But instead, he is leading the Saurashtra squad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with an aim to work on his one-day or even T20 game and enrich his repertoire of strokes. Pujara’s dedication to improving his game in the shorter format confidently avers his limited-overs career is certainly not over and opportunities will come.

According to Zeenews India, Pujara said, “Perception, I would say, has played a major role. If you check my performance in List A and T20s I still have a lot to offer in the shorter formats. I am not at all worried as I know my opportunity would come at some point in time.”

Pujara to head to England for county stint

The tenacious top-order batsman will be heading to England, come April, while the country’s top cricketer get busy with IPL. Pujara will be starting his preparations for India’s tour of England later this year. The wristy, stroke-player will turn out for English county heavyweights Yorkshire in Division 1 for a second stint, eyeing the five-Test series against the Three Lions slated to be held in August.

And Pujara feels the stint will be extremely beneficial as he will be playing county cricket at venues where India will also play their matches on the tour, thus giving him a vivid idea of the English conditions.

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