Crucial to win the Kanpur Test to get the desired momentum in the series, says Pujara
INDIA BATSMAN Cheteshwar Pujara has divulged that there is a positive energy and a friendly atmosphere in the dressing room when the team is led by Test skipper Virat Kohli and limited-overs skipper MS Dhoni. Pujara praised Virat for leading the team by example. The Saurashtra batsman stated that the dressing room is motivated by seeing Virat add big runs to the board.
In an interaction with bcci.tv, Pujara said,
“One thing that is common between MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli as captains is that at the end of the day they want the team to win. The dressing room under both captains has a very good environment. I have enjoyed playing under Mahi bhai and at the moment enjoying my time playing under Virat’s captaincy. Virat is very straightforward. He leads by example. I don’t need to talk about his batting because he has been scoring runs aplenty but if you see his fielding and fitness regimes, it inspires everyone in the dressing room. He sets the bar high for all the other players to follow. The team looks up to him and there will be individuals saying - I want to achieve this landmark.”
Ahead of the first Test at Green Park stadium on September 22, the 28-year-old opined that it will be crucial to earn a victory to get the desired momentum in the series.
“It is going to be a challenging series for us against New Zealand. We have the chance to become No.1 again and the aim will be to be on top for a long time. To achieve that, we have to play exceptionally in the series that we play ahead. The first Test match against New Zealand will be very crucial to get that momentum into the series. We have been dominant over the last few Test series and we need to continue that. They are more experienced now and they know which areas to bowl. But we know our conditions well and know how to counter their attack. I don’t see an area where we have to be worried about. We need to continue doing the things we have done right. We know our way of succeeding.”
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