I don’t see any series happening over next 2-3 months: Pujara

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I don’t see any series happening over next 2-3 months: Pujara | Cheteshwar Pujara not optimistic about cricket in India over next few months

India’s Test specialist, Cheteshwar Pujara has begun training in Rajkot. This is despite the uncertainty in India’s immediate future and no clarity over the comeback dates of the Indian Cricket team.

The No. 7 ranked Test batsman last played competitive cricket in March when he was part of Saurashtra’s triumph in the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic competition. He believes that there is a difference in outdoor training and indoor training as there is a lot of change, although he tried to keep himself fit during the lockdown.

“You have to start at some point and it is important. If you are going to the ground, you are getting used to the sun and outdoor environment. Most players have been indoors for such a long time” Pujara told the Press Trust of India (PTI).

“Once you are outdoors it is a different feeling altogether. Training here is obviously not the same as you get in a team environment, but at least you are doing something to get yourself going.” he added. “Obviously, it feels a little different when you are holding a bat after a long time but because I worked on my fitness, it is helping now that I am playing again.”

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I don't see any series happening over next 2-3 months: Pujara | Cheteshwar Pujara not optimistic about cricket in India over next few months

Cricket will be different post the COVID-19 break and Pujara believes that it is important to respect the rules and regulations.

“Your body will start moving a bit once you have a routine. As a cricketer, it is important to start whenever possible and adhere to the government guidelines (on social distancing) at the same time,” he said.

Pujara likened this absence from the field to the injury enforced breaks although he reiterated that he remained active indoors. “Getting back from an injury is much tougher than this. When I was injured in the past (2008 and 2011), I resumed training after a long time; longer than this but lockdown was different. I was still active when I was indoors.”

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The Saurashtra batsman believes that, as a Test specialist, he is used to such long breaks from international cricket and coming back won’t be an issue. Pujara, however, doesn’t think that there will be any form of cricket in the country in the next 2-3 months.

“If you are mentally tough, you can take a long break comfortably. Test matches don’t happen frequently so one has to play domestic cricket. It was not such a big thing for me and to come back from it, I will be fresh and more eager to play. The mental challenge is not an issue for me. I don’t see any series happening for the next two-three months, so one has to take things gradually” he concluded.

Written by Sarthak Karkhanis. Follow Sarthak on Twitter today.

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