Cheteshwar Pujara's Resolve for India's England Tour- "If the Team Needs Me."

Cheteshwar Pujara has not been playing for India since the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023. India's Test team has experienced a difficult period since then and failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final this year. But Pujara is not losing hope of playing for the national team once again. As India gears up for their tour of England soon, he is prepared to take any chance that comes his way.

During a recent interview, Pujara spoke about the tour and stated that he is prepared to contribute to the team if necessary. He said that he has been putting in extra effort on his fitness and playing well in domestic cricket. Even though India has not been doing well in England for the last two decades, Pujara is keen to come in and assist in breaking the 20-year losing streak. He feels that this tour of England is the ideal opportunity to make a difference and help the team succeed.

The Indian squad will travel to England following the Indian Premier League 2025. The tour will get underway with a five-match Test series from June 20. The series will also witness the launch of the new cycle of the World Test Championship for India, presenting the team with a crucial chance to set the tone for things to come.

Pujara, with over 100 Test matches to his credit, feels the frustration of not being included in the team. But he keeps his focus on his passion for the sport and keeps himself motivated. He feels that hard work is what has always driven him towards success, and even if he doesn't receive the opportunity to play for India, he will continue to prepare himself for any opportunity that might come his way. Whether it's domestic cricket or county cricket, Pujara is prepared to do his best. He keeps his focus on his performance and doesn't allow failures to dilute his love for the game.

Looking back at his experiences, Pujara pointed out that victory or defeat in cricket is never the work of a single player. He believes it is a team effort, and although it's disappointing not to be part of the team, he makes an effort to remain positive and concentrate on what he can do. His previous performances, such as his achievement in England and Australia, encourage him to keep working towards perfection. Pujara always plays for the success of the team, whether it is for Saurashtra, Sussex, or India.

In recent times, Pujara played a good game for Saurashtra during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, aggregating 402 runs in seven matches at an average of 40.20. His best performance was a century and a fifty, with the top score being 234. This indicates that Pujara is ready to start performing again on the international level.

Along with his success at home, Pujara has also been playing County cricket for Sussex. In his career across England, he has scored 870 runs from 16 matches, with one century and five half-centuries, at an average of 29.00. His highest score in County cricket has come at 132 not out, which shows that he has consistently been performing well even in English conditions. Pujara's experience in England can prove to be a big boon for the Indian team as they try to better their performance and put an end to their losing streak in the country.

For Pujara, the urge to play for India is more than ever. Though he was left disappointed for not being included in the team recently, he is still raring to go and ready to make a difference whenever he is summoned. His commitment to the game, his reliability in domestic cricket, and his immense experience in international cricket make him an asset for India's forthcoming England tour. If provided the opportunity, Pujara will not think twice before seizing the moment and leaving everything on the field to contribute to India's success on their tough tour of England.