Body blows motivated me to do better during the Gabba Test, says Cheteshwar Pujara

Winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 was one of the best moments in India's 90-years Test history that has seen wins in England, the West Indies, New Zealand, and Pakistan. Led by Ajinkya Rahane in the absence of Virat Kohli, a bunch of young boys and Cheteshwar Pujara did the unthinkable at the Gabba.

India chased down 328 on Day 5, which witnessed hostile bowling from the Australians that Pujara copped up effortlessly for the team's sake. Speaking to ANI, Pujara recalled how each blow to his body only motivated him to do better and made him more focused.

"I think it (body blows) motivated me to do better. Yes, I was in a bit of pain during the first two blows. When I was stuck 2-3 times more at the same spot, the pain was more. At one point, I was hit in my fingers. It was unbearable. It was unbearable. I had a chat with physio, and he asked If I wanted to take painkillers,”

“I refused because I do not take medicines during the game because it disturbs my concentration sometimes," Pujara said reminiscing about his experience.

"So I just told myself that I am being hit on my body, but my focus to to draw the game or win it for my country. My focus was to ensure that we do not lose too many wickets during the first two sessions, during the final day of the game," the right-hander said.

The Man of the Series from India's 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win Down Under scored a crucial 211-ball 56 and had formed partnerships with Shubman Gill, Rahane, and Pant.

Pant remained unbeaten on 89* and scored the winning runs via a boundary of Josh Hazlewood, which enabled India to clinch the Gabba Test and the series in favour of 2-1.

Both Pant and Pujara were India's top 2 run-scorer in the series, with 274 and 271 runs.

Pujara stitched a 148-run stand with Rishabh Pant in the Sydney Test that ended in a draw courtesy of Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari's valiant effort earlier in the series.

Speaking about their approach in the middle, Pujara explained, "We (Pant and Pujara) were under pressure, and we had to make sure we do not lose too many wickets at that stage and have a few more runs at the board to make pressure on the bowlers.

When you are chasing 400-plus, it is not easy. What we tried was to build a partnership and think of things we could control, which was to play one session at a time, one hour at a time,"

Pujara was quick to add that it was a complete team effort that contributed to the draw at the SCG.

"Even when we look at the series, there were players who came and played, and most of them played well whenever they had an opportunity," he concluded.