Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of his 100th Test match: 'No one can question my commitment'

India batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara is all set to become the 13th player from India to feature in 100 or more Test matches. The 35-year-old would be acieving the feat with the start of the second Test match between India and Australia in Delhi from February 17.

The right-hand batter was dropped from India's Test squad last year, however, he piled up over 1000 runs in county cricket in England, and forced his way back into the squad.

Talking ahead of his landmark, the Saurashtra star has asserted that his commitment at any level of cricket can not be questioned by anyone.

“It's the love for the game. My passion has become my profession. I never dreamt of doing anything else apart from playing cricket. I don't need any kind of motivation to do well. And it's not just about international cricket. If you look at my performances in games at whatever level - club, state, county, country - no one can question my commitment. I hate losing,” Pujara told ESPNcricinfo.

After scoring 1094 runs (inclduing five hundreds) in eight matches at an average of 109.40 for Sussex in County Championship 2022, Pujara also featured in England's premium 50-over white-ball tournament Royal London Cup. There he scored 624 in nine matches at average of 89.14 and a strike rate of 111.62.

Pujara credits yoga for monk-like concentration

Further, Pujara credited yoga for helping him increase his concentration. The gutsy batter has been part of numerous intense battles for India, even taking blows on his body to ensure a win for his team. During India's 2018-19 tour of Australia, he top-scored in the 4-Test series with 521 runs at an average of 74.42. He faced as many as 1258 balls in the series. During the 2020-21 tour Down Under, he scored crucial 271 runs off 928 balls. Chasing 328 in the fourth and series-deciding Test at Gabba, he scored 56 off 211 balls to help India win the match by three wickets and script history.

“Yoga has helped me immensely in the last several years, and I've been doing it regularly. That has also helped me improve my concentration. For me, when I'm batting out there in the middle, I try and keep my mind blank, I try and just focus on what I have to do. And to do that you need to also forget what the bowler will do, because in cricket you have to be in the present, you have to look at the ball and let your instinct follow,” Pujara added.

Pujara unfazed by milestone 'hundred'

The upcoming match might be Pujara's 100th in Test cricket, but the right-hander has his eyes set on the main goal. He wants to deliver for the team and set new targets for himself.

“Yes, it will be my 100th Test match, but you still have a job to do for the team and you focus on that a bit more. It is similar to batting: when you reach the hundred, you start again. Sometimes you want to score a double-hundred. Here it is not like that - you can't reach 200 Test matches. But you move on to the next target,” said Pujara.