Cheteshwar Pujara finds the constant fuss over his strike rate a tad unfair and wants to clarify once and for all that he has got full backing of the team management which understands the "importance" of his style of play.
In the age of slam-bang cricket, Pujara brings delight to the purists of the game by batting on and on without worrying too much about the strike-rate. But to appreciate someone who epitomises patience in Test cricket is may be asking for too much from the "millennials".
Last week, the soft-spoken 32-year-old from Rajkot found himself at the receiving end again on social media as he laboured his way to 66 off 237 balls in the Ranji Trophy final against Bengal.
To his credit, he overcame fever and throat infection to share a game-changing stand with Arpit Vasavada, helping Saurashtra to their maiden title on the basis of first innings lead.
Whether it is playing for Saurashtra or India, Pujara is used to constant chatter around his strike-rate.
"I don't think there is too much talk (on the inside). In media, it is described differently but the team management has been backing me on this completely. There is no pressure from the captain, coach or anyone else," Pujara, who is currently getting much-needed family time due to the COVID-19 outbreak, told PTI.
"I just want to clarify that when it comes to strike rate people start pointing towards team management's take on it but there is no pressure on me at all. The team management understands my style of play and its importance."
"I know I can't be a David Warner or Virender Sehwag but if a normal batsman takes time there is nothing wrong in that."
"My standards are always high and I am not satisfied with the season that I had but I would not call it a bad one at all."
"There is nothing wrong with that but they should understand that real cricket is Test cricket and you will be judged only on the performances in the five-day game."
"It is one of the most important series for us."
"Fast bowlers have to be fresh and ready for that series and I am sure their workload will be managed. Best part about the tour is that we recently played in Australia (2018-19). I feel that is the biggest advantage for us."
"If you look India, Australia, England, the pool of players will be not more than 20-25 whereas if you talk about 10 years ago, India used to have 30-50 players who were ready for Test cricket. I am not saying there are no players available. But if they are ready for Test cricket or not, that is the question."
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