'Approach' of Cheteshwar Pujara After Getting Dropped: A Subtle Message to Selectors
Cheteshwar Pujara is one of the finest Test batters of his generation and continues to knock on the doors of the national team after being dropped. While a few others, like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, haven't cemented their spots in the team, Pujara continues to pile runs in the Ranji Trophy, making the selectors' heads turn. But it isn't always easy to focus on the task at hand when a player has been dropped from the national team. But, for Pujara, it's his passion that continues to drive him.
In an interview, Pujara was asked how he prepared himself for the Ranji Trophy after getting dropped from the Indian team. His response is a message to selectors in itself.
Pujara said, "By playing a competitive club match in Mumbai just before the Ranji season, I just love this game. I am passionate about it. I got a hundred in that match against Dhawal Kulkarni, Sandeep Sharma, Shams Mulani, and Shivam Dube. My club team was weaker against the opposition. So, I wanted to ensure I put my best foot forward, and we won the match.”
He added, "I am saying this because that's exactly why I play for Saurashtra. I want us to qualify for the Ranji knockouts. It's about having the same passion, whether it is Saurashtra, Sussex, or my club. Obviously, there is different pride in playing for the country. But you keep continuing the hard work. Try and follow the same routine.”