Pujara: 'Difficult to pick the seam with pink ball'

"It was very difficult to pick the googly, under lights. A little difficult to pick the seam on the pink ball," said Cheteshwar Pujara after scoring166 off 280 balls in Duleep Trophy today.

Cheteshwar Pujara scored 166 off 280 balls with 24 fours.

Cheteshwar Pujara, after his innings of 166 in the Duleep Trophy, said he found it difficult to spot the pink ball's seam under lights.

Pujara, playing for India Blue, batted for 280 balls and helped his team cross 500 against India Green at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground here.

"This was my first game with the pink ball. I enjoyed batting on this wicket. There was not much help for the fast bowlers," Pujara told Star Sports after his innings.

“Even when I was facing spinners, it was very difficult to pick the googly, under lights. A little difficult to pick the seam on the pink ball.”

"The most difficult session was the third one, under lights, when they took the second new ball, it moved about, it came on faster. So I think the third session is the most difficult one."

“Disappointed to get out on 166. People expect big from me. Getting a hundred was good though,” said Pujara, “Always good to play domestic games before a big series.”

Pujara said he's awaiting the upcoming home Test season.

“Looking forward to it, considering we have 13-14 matches (in the forthcoming season). New Zealand have a good batting line-up, good spinners and their fast bowlers are bowling reverse swing as well. As a batsman, we need to be careful. India have done really well so far, in India and outside India as well.”

Pujara said he would prefer to bat at three .

“Sometimes you have to be prepared to bat at any number. If given a choice, and because I have scored so many runs at No. 3, I know how to bat there, I know how to build an innings.

But I’m happy to bat wherever. I share my experience with the young cricketers, I know when I was making my India debut, the seniors helped me out,” Pujara said.