IND vs AUS 2023: In Indian conditions, the opposition is always under pressure – Cheteshwar Pujara

Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara reckons the opposition is always under pressure in the Indian conditions. Pujara reckons if the home team can get runs on the board in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series, then Australia will be under the pump.

It is well known that India has been a force to reckon with in their own conditions and not many teams savored success in India. Australia last won a Test series in India back in 2004 whereas India last lost a Test series in their own conditions in 2012 against England.

It is always difficult for the opposition to keep the Indian spinners at bay. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been right on the money for the Indian team over the years and they have done the bulk of the damage.

Cheteshwar Pujara said in the pre-match press conference, “As a batting unit, if we put up enough runs on the board. In Indian conditions, the opposition is always under pressure.”

“It would be nice to repeat that performance (2018-19 tour) , but it is never easy when playing against the Australian team. The important part here, as a player, as an individual, is that one needs to understand the responsibility and the role for the team, and I would like to play that role.”

Pujara added that he is looking forward to the four-match Test series against Australia as it is always competitive. India has won the last two series in Australia and they will be looking to continue their domination in the home conditions.

“I am delighted as a Test player, and if you look at the India-Australia series, the past two-three series, even the one we played in India has been competitive. As a Test player, I am really looking forward to it and there is a lot to play for. If you look at our status, we need to win at least 2 Test matches to make it to the WTC Final. Hopefully, we will do well in this series.”

India’s no.3 batter added he looks to take one game at a time and doesn’t want to set big goals.

“I’m not someone who sets big goals. I would like to take one Test match at a time. And when you’re playing a Test you want to break it down into smaller targets. I always look to bat one hour or one session at a time. Not really big goals but really looking forward to this series.”