Cape Town: The legendary Sir Donald Bradman had always emphasised on the ‘art of leaving’ the ball while playing on bouncy pitches. Decades later, Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara reaffirmed Friday the same theory while pointing out that to achieve success on the bouncy pitches of South Africa, ‘playing and leaving’ deliveries were of equal importance.
India lost the Test series 0-1 on the previous tour of South Africa four years ago but Pujara was amongst the runs alongside Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.
“It is important to leave the ball well, especially overseas. Once you move out of Asia, there is enough bounce in the pitches and that is the reason one should be able to choose which ones to play and which to leave,” Pujara stated after a practice session here.
“It (the adjustment) is both technical and mental. The good thing is that most of the players have been here (South Africa) before. Personally, I have been here twice (2010-11 and 2013-14). It is about knowing your game, knowing the conditions and you just need to apply yourself,” added the one-drop player.
India will go into the Newlands Test, Friday without playing a warm-up match. Asked if the players feel rusty, Pujara replied in the negative.
“See, when we were playing at home against Sri Lanka, we had the South Africa series in our minds. We had prepared few things even in India. I don’t think we are in any rush, there is plenty of time to prepare,” Pujara pointed out.
“Yes, there will be some bounce and that is always a challenge. But this time we have enough preparation and we would like to back ourselves and try and execute the things which we have done over the past one-and-a-half months,” added Pujara.
Steyn doubtful
Cape Town: South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson hinted Tuesday that Dale Steyn might have to wait longer to make his comeback as it would be a risk to field the rusty pacer in the first Test against India. “Dale is fit again. But I don’t know just yet whether we will see him this week,” Gibson told reporters. “He has had a year’s layoff. I don’t think if we were to pick a three-man seam attack plus a spinner he wouldn’t figure because in case something happens to him and he can’t finish the game… then that leaves the team vulnerable,” the coach added.
Press Trust of India