The second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Delhi from February 17 will mark veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara’s 100th appearance in the longest format of the game.
Ahead of the match, Pujara said he is not concerned about the chatter regarding his age and how long he will continue to play.
The 35-year-old further stated that his philosophy is to take one match at a time rather than thinking about retirement date.
"I don't want to set a target for myself. I want to be in the present. I want to take it one Test match at a time rather than thinking about how long I can play," Pujara told ESPNCricinfo on Tuesday (February 14).
"It's important to enjoy the game, it's important to be on top of your game, and whenever you are not able to contribute, or you are not performing to the best of your abilities, you can consider the next step. I have just turned 35. There's still some time," he added.
Pujara will become the 13th Indian to play 100 or more Tests, having made his debut in 2010 against Australia.
Talking about the landmark game, where his family will be there to cheer for him, Pujara asserted: "Yes, it will be my 100th Test match, but you still have a job to do for the team and you focus on that a bit more. We are playing an important series against Australia.”
"Yes, the second Test will be my 100th, but there will be two more Tests after that which will be very important for us to win to qualify for the WTC final," he further said.
In 99 Tests so far, Cheteshwar Pujara has aggregated 7021 runs at an average of 44.15 with 19 hundreds and 34 half-centuries.
According to Pujara, discipline is the key to excel in Test cricket as the five-day format tests ones character, patience and temperament to the limit.
"You are tested in your character, in your temperament, in your patience, as a person. It's also about how you behave off the field, and that also has an impact on what you do on the field because if you are not disciplined enough in Test cricket, you will see the results eventually on the field. That's why Test cricket is special."
"Yes, T20 cricket is more popular now but if you speak to any Test cricketer, regardless of how many matches they have played, they will tell you it takes a lot to become a successful Test player. I live a very simple life and that's the reason I don't get distracted by too many things."
In the end, Pujara advised the youngsters to get some first-class games under their belt.
"If you are just playing white-ball cricket and if you aim to play Test cricket, then you should definitely play Ranji Trophy, without any doubt. Otherwise you will eventually get exposed at the international level in red-ball cricket.
"If you look at examples of whoever has done well in Test cricket, they would have played some red-ball cricket - whether it is Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy or India A, Rest of India. It is slightly different for the bowlers, but for a batsman, it is important to play red-ball cricket," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
