‘Pujara raring to go against Bangladesh’

Cheteshwar Pujara says his stint with the English county side Yorkshire has helped him rectify the flaws in his batting and is ready to bat at any position when the Indian team square off with <g data-gr-id="42">Bangaldesh</g> in the one-off Test in Fatullah from Wednesday.

Pujara has flattered to deceive, <g data-gr-id="30">specially</g> in the tough overseas conditions over the last year but is ready to make amends for disappointing <g data-gr-id="32">form</g> last year.

“During the Australia tour, I was batting well but I wasn’t converting the starts. I was getting 30s, 40s then I was getting out. So then I thought about it. I had a word with my father who is coaching me and I even had a word with Rahul (Dravid). So I found out what was wrong and worked upon it to get adjusted and played in those challenging conditions in Yorkshire,” Pujara said Pujara told media ahead of team’s departure to Bangladesh.

Asked about conditions in Fatullah set to be different from English conditions. “When I came back I had enough time to practise back home on Indian pitches. I really enjoyed playing for Yorkshire. The weather was cold. Cricket was challenging so I learnt many things. Playing on challenging wickets does help,” he added. Pujara said he is flexible about his batting position. “As a batsman, I always believed that you have to be flexible whatever is the team’s requirement. I batted at number three for many <g data-gr-id="38">years</g> but I am really flexible. I am comfortable at any number,” he said.

Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has had modest IPL with SunRisers Hyderabad, said that switching to Test format would not be a difficult <g data-gr-id="33">task</g> but bowling on flat Bangladesh pitches will be a very demanding.

“It’s totally different ball game - from playing Test and playing T20s. What is needed is a bit of practise with the red ball and the conditions also. It’s going to be difficult being a bowler in Bangladesh because of the conditions and the weather so we have to work as a bowling unit. We have to back each other, take care of each other,” he said.