Pujara turns 'bowler' to revive ODI career

As his quest to find a permanent spot in India’s one-day side continues, Cheteshwar Pujara has also started bowling in order to fit the bill for ODI selection. 

“I have started bowling in nets so that I can contribute as a part-time bowler. I want to help my team with part-time bowling if the captain wants me to. I am looking to bring improvement in my game, most important being playing on the rise. I am targeting specific areas, which include analysis of my batting and what mistakes I am committing in the middle. It will help me in the longer run,” said Pujara. 

Pujara said he is also looking forward to the upcoming Indian Premier League.“If I can prove myself in the IPL, I am confident that I can get success in ODIs too. I had played a couple of good innings for my last franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore which proved that I have the talent to excel in the shortest format also.

It’s all about getting more opportunities in the future. I am looking forward to have a successful IPL,” said the middle-order batsman, who also said that a good showing in the IPL could help him being a part of India’s World Cup squad for next year’s mega event. 

Ever since making his debut in the 50-over format against Zimbabwe last year in August, Pujara has only played two ODIs in the limited opportunities he has got in the 50-over format and his non-inclusion for the dead Asia Cup rubber against Afghanistan left many flabbergasted.

With the focus on building the team for next year’s World Cup in Australia-New Zealand, Pujara knows that he has limited time on his hand. “It’s all about getting more and more opportunities. I have the ability to perform in all three formats of the game.

“It’s a perception. I have a good ODI domestic record. I have scored runs at an impressive strike rate in domestic matches. So, I don’t think it would be a problem for me adjusting to the T20 format,” he said.