IND vs AUS 3rd Test: I don't play International cricket to silence anyone, says Pujara

India star batsman Cheteshwar Pujara scored his 17th Test ton which was also his second in the ongoing Melbourne Test

During the third Test between Indian and Australia, India star batsman Cheteshwar Pujara scored his 17^th Test ton which was also his second in the ongoing Melbourne Test. Earlier, this year some of his critics wanted Pujara dropped from the Indian Test team but the brilliant century by him has silenced all of them.

At the Press conference at the end of Day Two, the 30-year-old made it clear that when he plays international cricket, he does not play to silence anyone, he just need to keep scoring runs and that is what he loves to do.

"Well, when I play international cricket, I don't play to silence anyone, I just need to keep scoring runs and that is what I love to do. I don't want to get into all such things,” Pujara said.

“My job is to score runs and I'll keep doing that, whether its home or away. Sometimes you get criticized and you just have to accept it. But if India keep winning, ultimately everyone is happy.

So is Pujara relieved that he has added two great International centuries in the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia? "Well, can't say I am relieved because I always knew I can score runs. It is always good to get those hundreds. It was a perception that I always score runs at home. But India play a lot of Test matches at home, I have always said that. Sometimes, things become really difficult, especially when you are on an overseas tour. It's not easy to score runs.

“Yes, as a batsman it is always challenging when you are playing abroad," he said.

Two overs after Kohli's departure, Pat Cummins, the solo wicket-taker on the opening day, doubled the joy for the hosts with a fuller delivery that ended Pujara's 319-ball marathon innings.

Pujara was undone by a ball that stayed too low and crashed into his stumps, once again underlying the confusing nature of the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).