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Cheteshwar Pujara credits bowlers for Test Championship journey, asserts India up for the challenge

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India’s number three Cheteshwar Pujara has credited the bowlers, and more specifically, the pacers for winning India a place in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.

He said that the Indian bowling attack has the required set of skills to take 20 wickets in any given conditions and also the team have had many backup options in the recent past to make India a reliable team across the world.

"The reason we have reached the WTC Final is because of our pacers and bowlers. They can take 20 wickets in any condition. And I am really happy to see them grow. And we have so many backup options and everyone is ready for the challenge,” Pujara said in the virtual press conference two days prior to the WTC final.

Pointing out the context and value that the Test Championship brings to the longest format of the game, which he said must ‘survive’, Pujara said that India’s triumph in the final of the WTC will inspire youngsters coming into the game to take up the long form.

"Test cricket needs to survive and with WTC, it will definitely help. If we win, then more younger players will want to play Test cricket. Each and every series means a lot now. This should continue,” Pujara added.

India’s rise and journey into the WTC final was also driven by youngsters who were more than ready to take on the big men of international cricket and proved to be match-winners very early in their career against Australia. 

Predicting ‘successful’ careers for them, Pujara said that the youngsters coming into the side are ‘confident’ and hungry to win matches for the country.

"The best part about youngsters is they are confident. They want to win matches. They didn't know much about conditions in Australia but they still did well. They always look to improve. They will be successful,” Pujara reckoned.

India have not had any match-practice leading up to the WTC final except the intra-squad match they played by dividing their jumbo team into two and setting up simulated targets and situations. 

The lack of match practice could well find India short against an impressive New Zealand, who have just won their first series in England since 1999 but Pujara has a lot of confidence in his teammates and reckoned that the Men in Blue are up for the big challenge.

"We are up for the challenge and going with a lot of confidence. “The mental part is very important as it is just one match. We have had 10-12 days of preparation time as well. Mentally you need to up there,” Pujara reckoned.

"It is about getting back into the rhythm. When we were out there in the middle, we wanted to make the most out of it. We also had some practice pitches available. We utilised the time pretty well," he further added.

Pujara has already stated how much the World Test Championship means to him and other Test specialists, who play only the longest format and he reiterated his sentiment less than 48 hours away from when the coin will go up in Southampton.

"Personally, it means a lot to me. This is the first WTC Final and we have worked for it over a period of time. We as a team is looking forward team. Playing finals is always big,” Pujara concluded.

India’s hopes of combatting the star-studded pace bowling lineup of New Zealand that comprises of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, and Neil Wagner, will rely heavily on Pujara’s shoulders if they have to win the inaugural edition of a championship that their coach had rated ‘one of the biggest, if not the biggest event’ in the world of cricket.

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