Pujara keen on ODI dash

[BleedBlue]

Cheteshwar Pujara: ""I think I have the basics, now it's just about shifting the gears at the right time" Cheteshwar Pujara has said that exposure to the one-day format at the international level would help him change people's perception about him being only a longer-format player. Pujara is part of India's squad that is scheduled to play five ODIs in Zimbabwe starting July 24 and is likely to make his ODI debut during the series. "I think I have the basics, now it's just about shifting the gears at the right time, and that comes with more matches at the international level," Pujara told the Indian Express. "My technique is correct. Yeah, maybe at times, you need to learn more shots and you need to play according to the situation, but that comes with experience." Pujara made a seamless entry into Test cricket after years of piling up runs in first-class cricket, and this time, the selectors have also put their faith on his equally impressive List A record and added him to the ODI squad. In 61 List A matches, Pujara has scored 2735 runs at an average of 56.97. He gave a glimpse of his talent during last year's Challenger Trophy, smashing 158*, 124* and 79 at a strike rate of 107. During his Test hundreds against Australia earlier this year, he maintained high strike rates too despite taking time to settle in, an approach, Pujara feels, would help in overseas conditions. "With the two new balls, it does make a difference, and you have to be technically correct," he said. "If you are playing on a flat wicket, then it's a different story altogether, but when you are playing overseas, you can't play your shots from the beginning, and you need wickets at the end to accelerate. And with the new rules, you have five fielders inside (the circle), so even acceleration becomes easier once the ball is old. But you need to have wickets in hand." Pujara will also lead the India A side in South Africa after the Zimbabwe tour and he said that the experience during the tour would be key ahead of India's Test tour to South Africa later this year. "I have been to South Africa. I have played two Test matches, so I have some experience, but the A tour will be very helpful, for me and a few other players who will be part of the Indian team in November-December," he said. "It will really help to score some runs and get some experience in these conditions before the main series."

[bulbul]

Time for BiC to :vroam: in this thread

[MCcricket]

I have seen him hit those big 100's in first class odi's, he has it in him to be a very good ODI player, the only thing is his injuries and fitness, mind you he can hit the big ones and rotates the strike well and has a good s/r too.

[Sean Bradley]

I think he will end up being another VVS Laxman, beast in Tests but Unfit for ODI's.

[tweaker]

He will be selected in SA England,Australlia, Nz odi teams and will not be considered in subcontinent

[Rob9]

not needed for ODI.better to have allrounder like yuvraj

[namasteji1]

Speaking a bit too much i think..is he ?

[cowboysfan]

seriorsly,this is ICF.there are bound to be news about player interviews,i doubt any player will say "i suck,i dont think i am cut out for odis or tests".there is no use getting bent out of shape reading player interviews.

[velu]

He might do well in Odis.. He was fluent in some of the tests .. Nohit beware Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[Ram]

He is just good enough to average 35 at a SR or 75-80. But he lacks two key ingredients that so important in the makings of a successful ODI bat – 1) He does have not an ‘aerial game’. Majority of his scoring shots are along the ground. That maybe fine if the wicket’s great and the bowling is innocuous. He can certainly score at a fair clip in those circumstances. But if the wicket’s dodgy or the bowling’s focused, some imes you need the get out of jail shot that acts as the pressure valve. Pujara does not have that shot. 2) He relies more in timing than power to score runs, which means if his timing is not right on a day, he may struggle to score, especially in big chases. But I’d say between him and Karthik, I will certainly go Pujara.

[SLICKR392]

With that List A figures he's got and the recent amazing domestic season he had, I don't know what's keeping him away ahead of Karthik & Rohit.

[GolGappe]

Rohit Sharma is useless anywhere in the middle order. Where does one bat Pujara if he does make it to the ODI XI? It's gotta be in top 3 and that means moving Kohli to number 4. A fit in-form Yuvraj is the missing link in our ODI XI instead of Karthik. Dhawan - Rohit* - Kohli - Yuvraj - Raina - Dhoni - Jadeja would be my preferred batting order. * Could be either Pujara or one of the U19 bats

[fineleg]

Should he be given exposure to ODIs in preparation of WC2015 in Australia?

[Cricketics]

Pujara for ODIS IN NZ and England We need to bring him in ODI line up for the tour to NZ and England. He should do good. Especially when chasing 250 runs and team is 70 some for 3, it's not easy to score in those locations like it is in India sometimes, Pujara can bail us out in those situations, just like how Dravid used to, plenty of times in odi's when we were in trouble. He has been stereotyped a lot for just being a test player.

[Dravid]

who goes out from current 11?

[StriKe]

who goes out from current 11?

Rohit will move to opening and Pujara can replace Vijay? or Raina/Jadeja ?

[Cricketics]

Rohit will move to opening and Pujara can replace Vijay? or Raina/Jadeja ?

Doesn't matter. Whoever isn't doing good, will eventually sit out and make way for Pujara. Slot can be made for him as a batsman in the squad.

[Dravid]

puj has to be at top right now top order is perfect

[Lord]

His knees are a problem,is a poor runner/fielder but yeah can replace Raina/Yuvi

[fineleg]

His knees are a problem' date='is a poor runner/fielder but yeah can replace Raina/Yuvi

Agreed. Poor runner/fielder yes. But until we find a better ODI batsman (for non-subcontinent) better than Raina and Yuvi.