XtraTime Web Desk: With just 11 more days for the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL 2020), all the teams are busy in their last preparation. But one cricketer is also keeping himself busy but for the upcoming tour to Australia later this year. Cheteshwar Pujara does not look too much into the fact that he is not a part of the cash rich league. Pujara, who was the architect of India”s historic series-win in Australia in 2018-19 has been left high and dry.
Does it hurt or irk him, letting others decide about his credentials as a T20 player?
“As a cricketer, I can”t have that opinion. Also I feel that I am someone who will never have such egos because I have seen and known IPL auctions to be tricky,” Pujara told PTI during an exclusive interview.
“I have seen world class players like Hashim Amla go unsold at the auctions. There have been lot of good T20 players, who have missed out on auction. So I don”t have any big ego that they are not picking me. Yes, given a choice I would like to play IPL,” said Pujara.
Does he feel to be a victim of public perception so prevalent in the Indian cricket eco-system?
“I would say yes, it”s a perception being tagged as a Test player and I can”t do much about it,” said the man who set up India”s 2-1 series win in Australia with more than 500 runs in the 2018-19 away series.
“I have always said that I should get opportunities and once I get opportunities, then only I can prove myself as white ball cricketer. I have performed well in List A cricket (average of 54), also in domestic T20s (century in Mushtaq Ali Trophy). I have done well in List A games in England.
“Performance is something which I can control and I will do that. Only thing I can do is wait for my opportunity. I am more than happy to play all formats. As long as I playing the game, I will remain a student of the game as there is no end to what you can learn. But as and when I get an opportunity, then only I can change the perception.,” said the affable man from Rajkot.
With Inputs from PTI