Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara lauded Glenn Maxwell for taking a short break from cricket after suffering from mental health issues before returning to domestic cricket in Australia a couple of months later in December 2019. 

“If someone is going through a bad time, I don't think any cricketer will come out and talk about such issues in India. But since Glenn Maxwell started this, I think it's a good way of telling the right thing to the team management if you need a break you need a break,” Pujara said.

SA v AUS 2020: Glenn Maxwell no more fazed with short pitched bowling

While talking about the importance of talking about mental health in India, Pujara said, “It is very important to address it but in India, unfortunately, I haven't heard many cricketers say that because there is a lot of pressure on all the players to perform, just at international level but even at domestic level.”

“In India, not many have opened up about such issues. Since the players haven't spoken about it, I'm not sure whether they have experienced mental health issues here but if someone opens up and starts saying about such things then they'll be a great character who has come in front and said such things,” he said.

When asked if anyone from the team is having mental issues, the right-hander said, “At this moment I don't think anyone is going through such issues. But there are times when players are playing throughout the year, they don't get to see their family but sometimes when you are playing this sport over a period of time you do get frustrated.”

The 32-year-old will be seen taking guard in the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand starting from 21 February.

(With India Today inputs)