'Can't disclose,' says Cheteshwar Pujara on his preparations ahead of India vs Australia Nagpur Test

India's number three Cheteshwar Pujara has refrained from revealing about his preparations for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23.

The 35-year-old, who is two matches short of his 100th Test, said that he played a couple of Ranji Trophy matches for Saurashtra in lead to the home series against Australia before adding that was also working on a few crucial points which he would not like to open about in public.

“I’ve played a couple of Ranji Trophy games as a part of the preparation for the series against Australia. Apart from that, I’ve been practicing back home at Rajkot. I can’t disclose particular things, but there are things which I’m working on a few points which will help me during this series,” Pujara, who has scored 1893 runs at an average of 54.08 against Australia, told Times of India.

Pujara has played a pivotal role in India's back-to-back triumph on the Australia soil. In 2018-19, Pujara amassed 521 runs after facing a record 1258 balls on the 2018-19 tour of Australia. He backed that up with utterly precious 271 runs off 928 balls (second-highest for India) during the 2020-21 tour. Eyes will again be on Pujara who was dropped for the home Test series against Sri Lanka last year.

The 35-year-old signed with County Championship side Sussex and piled up 1094 runs at an average of 109.40 in eight matches before being recalled in the team for the rescheduled fifth Test against England in Birmingham. Since making his comeback, the right-hand batter has scored 13, 66, 90, 102*, 24 and six.

Main battles with Lyon and Cummins in Australia

Pujara was also asked about his matchups with veteran Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon and ace pacer and captain Pat Cummins. He acknowledged the experience of the duo, however, added that they have challenged him mostly in their home conditions.

"Look, they've experience. They understand their strengths really well. Especially when we play them in Australia, they utilise the conditions well. They know which areas to bowl in, in those conditions. So I think the main battle against them is always in Australia. Not to forget that they are great bowlers and they've done well even in India, but my important battles against them have been in Australia. That's something you need to do a lot of preparation for, as a batsman, you need to figure out your ways to counter them. As a batsman, you always enjoy that challenge," he said.

Notably, Pat Cummins dismissed Pujara five times in the last series. In total, he has picked out Pujara seven times in 10 matches. Nathan Lyon has managed to dismiss Pujara 10 times in 17 matches. Pujara has scored 521 runs at an average of 52.1 against the tweaker.

Cummins hasn't dismissed Pujara in any of his two attempts against India. Lyon has played seven matches against Pujara in India. Pujara has scored 176 runs from the 392 balls he has faced but has lost his wicket five times in the process.

The first Test match between India and Australia will be played in Nagpur from February 9.