Pujara: 'I am prepared for the tour of South Africa'

"I have enough experience of playing in South African conditions. I have been there in 2010 and in 2013, so that experience will definitely help. As soon as this Test series gets over, we will have enough time to prepare for SA series," Pujara said.

Pujara takes a run on Day 3 of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka.

Cheteshwar Pujara said he is prepared for the tour of South Africa.

"I have enough experience of playing in South African conditions. I have been there in 2010 and in 2013, so that experience will definitely help. As soon as this Test series gets over, we will have enough time to prepare for SA series. The first Test starts on January 5 and there’s plenty of time to prepare.

DAY 3: Match Report

"It also depends on whether Saurashtra qualifies for Ranji Trophy quarterfinals. Personally, my county experience and past SA experience will certainly help because I have improved my technique specially playing in overseas conditions. Overall I am very confident with the kind of form I am going through.’’

One of the four century makers in the first innings here, Pujara touched upon the nature of the wicket here. "I think, it was difficult to score runs as the wicket was on the slower side. It wasn’t easy to get boundaries and we had to rotate the strike. But overall, it was a tough pitch, where you might not get out, but difficult to score runs. But I think, going forward in this game, the ball has started turning and we are hoping that on day four, the spinners will come into play. There is  also variable bounce for the fast bowlers, so Ishant and Umesh will also come into play.’’

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Assessing his ability to run quick singles he said: "I think in the last one and half to two years, I have been working hard on fitness and luckily there has not been any injury. Injuries are something I have gone through in the past, so now, I am fully fit,  and that’s the reason I am able to take quick singles and doubles.’’

About the absence of proper practice games in South Africa he said: "I should not be the one commenting  on it because it  depends on the schedule and how the BCCI plans tours. But going there a little bit early, a week or 10 days before, and then practicing on those pitches are important.’’