Indore: Brushing aside the criticism he is subjected to for not scoring quickly enough, Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara Saturday said positive intent and not strike rate is what all that matters in Test cricket.
Pujara’s 41-run knock in the ongoing third and final cricket Test against New Zealand has already been overshadowed by skipper Virat Kohli’s unbeaten hundred and Ajinkya Rahane’s 79 not out so far.
“What the message was given was to play with intent. When it comes to Test cricket we don’t need to focus much on strike rate, but on positive intent. On such wickets you can’t keep on scoring runs and have a strike rate of more than 70 or 80. You have to bat as per the situations. You have to know what the team requires,” Pujara said at the end of opening day’s play here.
Praising the batting of captain Kohli and Rahane, Pujara said their partnership has been crucial. “Virat and Ajinkya batted really well. Virat played a very good innings and got the first century in the series and Ajinkya too batted well. Their partnership was crucial and if the partnership carries Sunday it will be good for us,” he said.
Pujara said the Indians were looking at a total in excess of 400 from the position they were in.
“We will try to bat as long as possible. The kind of position we are in, we will look to get 400 and if don’t lose quick wickets and continue like we are doing, we will keep batting. We hope for a big total and when our spinners bowl we expect some more help from the wicket,” said Pujara.
Press Trust of India
