Cheteshwar Pujara credits first-class games for finding his rhythm

Over the years, Cheteshwar Pujara has been a reliable run-scorer for the Indian team in Tests home and away. 

However, he has been struggling recently, which also led him to be dropped for the home series against Sri Lanka earlier this year. 

The cricketing fraternity questioned his selection for the one-off Test match against England in July. But, he has made a fighting comeback into the Test squad by doing well in the red-ball tournaments. 

In three games for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, the 34-year-old garnered 191 runs in three innings. A brisk knock of 91 off 83 balls seems to have filled him with confidence. 

Pujara also slammed 720 runs in five innings for Sussex in the County Championship Division Two, including two double centuries. His ability to score runs in seam-friendly conditions has brought him into contention for the England series. 

In a recent interview, Pujara assessed that he needed to play as many first-class games as possible to regain his form and rhythm. Furthermore, the experienced batter added that the unbeaten knock of 201 against Derbyshire brought his confidence back. 

"It's about playing as many first-class games as possible and for me, that experience was very important. When you want to get back into form, when you want to find your rhythm, when you have that concentration, it is important to play some long innings," Pujara told BCCI TV.

"So, when I was playing for Sussex, I could do that. When I had my first big knock against Derby, then I felt that my rhythm was back, my concentration and everything was falling in place. I played three games for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy. Even there, I found my rhythm and I knew that I was batting well," Pujara said.

"It was about getting a big score and so when I had that in my first game, I knew that everything is back to normal now. (I was) finding my footwork, the back lift was coming along well."

Pujara, Rishabh Pant, and pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna will represent Leicestershire in a red-ball practice match against India starting Thursday. 

The one-off Test match against England will get underway on the 1st of July at Birmingham.