New Delhi: India’s Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara missed out on his 19th Test hundred in the first Test against Bangladesh. He alongside Shreyas Iyer this is till batting on 82 runs stitched 19 runs together for the fifth wicket. The Indian team concluded the first day on 278 for 6.
Pujara in the post-match press conference said, "It is not an easy pitch to bat on so I am really happy with the way I batted today. Sometimes more than three-figure, you look at trying to put the team in a winning situation”.
It has been close to four years since Pujara scored a century.
"I am really happy today and not bothered about not getting a three-figure mark. I have been batting well and if I carry on like this, it will come soon," Pujara specified.
"Looks like there will be a result and we needed runs on board. My partnership with Shreyas was important and also with Rishabh as there was a time when we had lost three wickets," Pujara added.
He also accepted that he may not have scored too many runs but a first innings total of 350 could produce a definite result.
"If we would have ended the day at 4 or even 5 wickets, things would have been better. I still feel if we get 350 in the first innings, it will be a good score on this track as there is a turn and we have three spinners.
"Even when fast bowlers are bowling, the odd one is staying low. It will keep getting worse as time progresses," Pujara said.
"There was variable bounce and oddball was keeping low even with the second new ball. It is easy once the ball gets older as bowlers also get tired. They can't keep bowling same areas for a longer time.
"We all know in the case of Kookaburra, the first 30 overs are important. Once you get through that phase, it is still slightly easier. But still, you need to concentrate hard," he added.
"It is not like all deliveries are turning. One ball per over is turning and that is even more dangerous. That oddball that will turn back or away will get your leg before or bowled. You can't relax on this track," Pujara signed off.