Self-confidence is the key

“I just don’t like to get out,” says Cheteshwar Pujara, the prolific Saurashtra batsman, who is knocking on the doors of Test cricket. Haresh Pandya caught up with him at a Ranji Trophy match in Rajkot.

Oodles of talent, consummate self-confidence and an insatiable hunger for success have enabled Cheteshwar Pujara score hundreds of Bradmanesque proportions this season. He is fast becoming the scourge of bowlers. He had innings of 130 and 132 in the Buchi Babu tournament, followed by back-to-back triple hundreds (386 and 309) in the C.K. Nayudu Trophy. Then, after an unexpected double failure (8 and 0) against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy season opener, Pujara has set the cricket fields ablaze with three consecutive centuries (302 not out, 189 and 176), and staked his claims for a place in the Test team. Excerpts from an exclusive interview conducted with the prolific batsman on the concluding day of the Ranji Trophy super league match between Saurashtra and Mumbai at Rajkot:

Question: How does it feel scoring all these mammoth hundreds in the last couple of months?

Answer: I’m happy scoring with a fair degree of consistency. But I’m happier playing my natural game and trying my best for whichever team I represent. Rather than runs and centuries, what matters is that they should help your team do well and achieve its objective. If you’re talented and confident of your ability, you’re bound to succeed. Self-confidence is the key to success, whatever your field, whatever your discipline.

Are you looking forward to playing Test cricket? How hopeful are you that the national selectors will consider you to represent Team India?

I’d be lying if I say it isn’t my dream to play Test cricket. It is. But my job is to play well and score as many runs as I can. If the selectors think that I’m good enough and have performed fairly well, they may consider me. But I’m not unduly worried about it. I just want to continue playing and scoring runs. The selectors know their job very well.

You’re having a dream run with the bat. Where does your inspiration come from?

There can’t be a better inspiration for me personally than to play cricket. Cricket can be both inspirational and motivational if you’ve a real passion for it. I just go to the wicket, apply my mind and play the bowling on its merit. It’s as simple as that. And I just don’t like to get out.

Which of your recent innings gave you the most satisfaction?

My 189 against Punjab at Rajkot. I think it was technically very good. I enjoyed playing all my shots. But I was a bit sad when I missed a double hundred, which was well within my reach. Much the same could be said about my 176 against Mumbai in the very next game.

Which has been your finest innings so far?

There have been too many to single out any one in particular. But many people consider my 148 against Delhi in Delhi late last year as my best knock. It enabled us to draw the match which at one stage looked like a humiliating defeat for Saurashtra. I still remember I had hit 25-odd boundaries during that particular innings. But I’m still in the initial stage of my career and you’ll naturally have to wait for my best.

You’ve formed a habit of sorts of converting 100s into 200s and the latter into 300s. What do you tell yourself after you reach 100? What goes on in your mind?

As I told you, I just don’t like to get out. So I’m not satisfied even after I reach 100. I just try to stay longer at the wicket and play my shots and score a bit quickly. But it all depends upon the situation. You’ve to change your tactics, your approach and your game-plan according to the prevailing circumstances. After all, you’re playing for your team, not for yourself. Cricket doesn’t give you this luxury.

There are shades of Rahul Dravid in your batting and also to your whole approach to cricket. There are quite some people who compare you with the former India captain. What do you have to say?

I don’t believe in comparisons. I don’t think you can have two similar individuals. Though I idolise Dravid, I must say I’ve never tried to imitate him even in my wildest of dreams. It just isn’t possible. He is a great batsman, a living legend. I’m my own man and I always try to be as natural and original as I can.

Which other players do you admire?

Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. There are a few others as well.

Have you ever received some special tips from a star cricketer or two?

I remember Ricky Ponting giving me some valuable tips about my fielding and some of my shots during my association with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. I cherished his advice and guidance. I found him to be a nice human being. Venkatesh Prasad and other Indian cricketers have also helped me from time to time with their guidance and suggestions.

You mentioned your shots. Which has been your most productive or favourite stroke?

There are too many shots that I enjoy playing to mention any one in particular. As I said, I just love to play my shots on either side of the wicket. I just can’t single out a particular shot.

What has been your strength as a batsman?

My confidence, my concentration and my determination. I’m very confident about my ability.

You give the impression of possessing a flawless technique. Is it really so?

How can I say? It’s for others to judge. But I’ve worked very hard on my technique and made some adjustment here and there. It has enabled me to be more aggressive and my strike rate, too, has improved in all forms of cricket. I’ve also learnt the art of adapting to any cricket on any wicket and against any attack. A cricketer has to.

There is a feeling that you are a bit vulnerable against short-pitched stuff. Is it true?

No, it isn’t true. On the contrary, I’ve done fairly well against fast bowlers on green and bouncy pitches, both in India and abroad. There is no vulnerability against short-pitched or any other stuff. You can check my record. What happens is that sometimes you get out to a really good, almost unplayable delivery and you should give some credit to the bowler, too, rather than saying that the batsman played badly.

On odd occasions when you have failed, your team has also failed, like in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final against Pakistan in Sri Lanka in 2006 and recently against Gujarat. Do you think your team depends heavily on you?

No team can depend on any one player. The very idea is ridiculous. After all, cricket is a team sport. I’ve still not forgiven myself for letting the Indian team down in the youth World Cup in Colombo. I was in good form and I should have played a bigger knock. It was also very disappointing not to succeed against Gujarat, especially after my back-to-back triple hundreds in the C. K. Nayudu Trophy. But you’ve to learn to take the rough with the smooth.

Not too many are aware that you are a good right-arm leg-spinner. How seriously do you take your bowling?

I’ve always taken my bowling seriously. But I must admit my bowling isn’t that good at the moment. The problem is I’m so much focused on my batting that I hardly have time to practise vigorously. And leg-spin isn’t just a difficult art; it also requires regular practice. Only then can you hone your talent as a leggie and sharpen your edge.

Who have been your greatest influences?

My parents. Whatever I’m today is thanks to a lot of sacrifice that my parents have made for me. While my father developed me as a cricketer, my mother, Reena, played a significant role in making me a good human being. She always told me that before becoming a good cricketer, I had to become a good, honest person. It was always her dream to see me play for India. Unfortunately, she died of cancer in October 2005 when I was playing a match in Bhavnagar. I was very close to her and it’s difficult to believe even after three years that she is no more. She would have been delighted and proud of whatever I’ve achieved so far.

You are very religious, aren’t you?

Yes, I’m. But again it’s because of my mother that I’m very religious. She taught me the value of prayer and puja. And I regularly offer my prayers and perform my puja. I meditate a lot. I often seek blessings of my spiritual guru, Swami Haricharandasji, either in person or through phone. If I’m in Rajkot and not busy playing, I frequently visit him at his ashram and spend important time with him in his inspiring company. But we never talk about my cricket.

How do you feel being a reasonably rich and famous young man now, almost a celebrity, given your humble background?

I’m still the same simple and unassuming Cheteshwar and I assure you I’ll always remain so. I really don’t bother about stardom or celebrity status. Frankly speaking, I’ve never thought about it. But it’s a nice feeling that people recognise me when I go out. They tell their friends about me.

You were an introvert and preferred your own company. Is there any change in your attitude now?

Yes, I was a little quiet and introvert to begin with. But I now go out to see films and for dinner with a few select friends. I crack a couple of jokes, too, when the mood seizes me.

Have you any girlfriends?

No. I’ve only a few friends and all of them are boys.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I love to read, though I don’t have a favourite author. I like to read those books which give me knowledge and information. I like music, too. I’m fond of films, particularly comedies. "Sholay" is my all-time favourite film. Only recently I saw "Dostana" with my friends in a cinema hall in Rajkot.

Who are your favourite actors?

Amitabh Bachchan and Genelia D’Souza. I’m a big Bachchan fan since childhood. I’ve tremendous admiration for Genelia, though I don’t have a crush on her.

You are unable to pursue your studies. Any regrets?

Yes, very much. I’ve always been a good student but I’m just unable to take my Standard XII examinations, let alone pursuing my B.Com degree, for want of time. But I’d like to complete at least my graduation. If possible, I’m interested in doing MBA as well.