‘Back at it’: Pujara returns to training following long break

New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) India middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara on Monday returned to training following a long break which was put forward by the coronavirus pandemic. He uploaded couple of pictures on his social media handle, wearing pads and with the bat in hand.A

His Instagram post read: “Back at it. Felt like a long time away but just as I took the stance felt as it was yesterday.”

Pujara will once again look to play an important role when India travel to Australia later this year for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The four Tests of the series is currently scheduled to be played at Gabba, Adelaide Oval (Day-night Test), MCG and the SCG respectively, starting December 3.

Pujara recently spoke about the prospect of playing Day-night Test in Australia and stated that Indian fast-bowlers will be eager to have a go at the pink ball in overseas conditions.

“(Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Shami and Ishant (Sharma) already have experience of playing with the pink ball. I’m sure all of them are eager to play with it, they must have enjoyed a lot in the Eden Gardens Test. Bowling with the pink ball in Australian conditions I am sure will be a great feeling for all our fast bowlers,” Pujara said on Sony Ten Pit Stop which was aired on the network’s Facebook page.A

India played their first ever Day-night Test last year against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Pujara said that playing with the pink ball will be a challenge for a newcomer who is used to playing with the red SG ball in the Indian domestic circuit.A

“It’s different from what we are used to with red ball. The format is the same but the pace of the ball and visibility is quite different. As a batsman you need to get used to it. You need to have net sessions and in domestic cricket it’s not easy,” Pujara said.

“Players who are given a chance to play for India are used to the red SG balls so they are ready for a red ball Test match. But then they will not have too much experience with the pink ball so I think it will be a challenge for a youngster to come in and play a pink ball Test.A

“But yes, those who have already played with it in a domestic tournament and those that have played the pink ball Test, they may get more used to it but it’s a different challenge altogether for a batsman.”

–IANS

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