Cheteshwar Pujara remarked this Virat Kohli led side, which just clinched country's maiden Test series victory on Australian shores, as the best Indian team he has ever been a part of.
Pujara, who scored 521 runs at 74.43 with three outstanding tons in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney and got awarded "Player-of-the-Series" for his marathon effort with the bat, expressed immense satisfaction and delight over the historic achievement.
"It's a great feeling for all of us. We've been working hard to win a series overseas, and winning in Australia has never been easy. This is the best Indian side I have been part of. I would like to congratulate the team," the highly dependable No.3 batsman said during the post-series presentation ceremony in Sydney on Monday, January 7 as the fourth and final Test ended in a draw ensuring a 2-1 series win for the visitors.
Pujara hailed India's highly talented bowling attack for taking 20 wickets consistently, saying: "We've had four bowlers, and it's not easy taking 20 wickets, so credit goes to all our fast bowlers and spinners...It is remarkable," before he eventually talked about his own performance and added, "I am really pleased with my contribution. As a batsman, I was just getting used to the pace and bounce."
"Apart from that, playing in South Africa and England has helped me improve my technique. For me, it's all about preparation and I was very well prepared."
While he scored three of them, Pujara believes that the game-changing ton at the Adelaide Oval will remain the most special one.
"Scoring a ton at Adelaide and going 1-0 up is what we were aiming for," he said and gave an insight into his future plans with India's next Test in the Caribbean still six months away, informing, "I'll be playing some first-class cricket back home, and I'll play some county cricket during the IPL."
"The next Test series is some 6-7 months away, it'll give me some time to prepare. I would like to play white-ball cricket, but Test cricket is my priority, and it always be so," he signed off.
(Inputs from PTI)
