Cheteshwar Pujara credits mental fortitude for combating lockdown 

Pujara got back at training this week after three months since the Ranji Trophy final.

Cheteshwar Pujara | AFP Cheteshwar Pujara said his mental toughness came to good use as he went about experiencing life away from the field in the last three months amid the lockdown imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Indian Test No.3 has just got back to training after March, when he helped Saurashtra lift the Ranji Trophy after a difficult tour of New Zealand. 

Read Also: Pujara steps out on the field after lengthy COVID-19 hiatus; shares picture on Instagram

Even though the pandemic remains firm with its grip in the country, with the number of positive cases only on the rise, sports training in empty stadiums is allowed. And Pujara feels he couldn't have got back at a better time. 

"You have to start at some point," he told PTI. "It is important. If you are going to the ground, you are getting used to the sun and outdoor environment. Most players have been indoors for such a long time."

"Initially it is just about feeling the ball and as it is, there is plenty of time before cricket starts. I don't see any series happening for the next two-three months, so one has to take things gradually."

"If you are mentally tough, you can take a long break comfortably," Pujara added. "Test matches don't happen frequently so one has to play domestic cricket. It was not such a big thing for me and to come back from it, I will be fresh and more eager to play. The mental challenge is not an issue for me."

Pujara is training at his academy with some of his Saurashtra teammates. The 32-year-old is currently batting 20-25 minutes thrice a week and will be gradually increasing the intensity at the nets. 

"Once you are outdoors it is a different feeling altogether," he said. "Training here is obviously not the same as you get in a team environment but at least you are doing something to get yourself going."

"Your body will start moving a bit once you have a routine. As a cricketer, it is important to start whenever possible and adhere to the government guidelines (on social distancing) at the same time."

At home, Pujara was also following the fitness programme designed by the Indian team management for all players during this phase. 

The lockdown was never as big of a mental challenge for Pujara, though, given that he has faced much more difficult periods away from the game very early in his Test career. 

"Getting back from an injury is much tougher than this. When I was injured in the past (2008 and 2011), I resumed training after a long time, longer than this but the lockdown was different. I was still active when I was indoors (with the fitness routine)," he said. 

"Obviously, it feels a little different when you are holding a bat after a long time but because I worked on my fitness, it is helping now that I am playing again."

"Every cricketer deals with situations differently. Mentally, some people do get frustrated but I just took it as a break. I never felt that (I lost my edge) because I have made comebacks after longer breaks (due to injury). The comeback you make from an injury is much tougher than a situation like this when I was not injured," Pujara added. 

"The first week (of training) is tough. After a week you are back to normal, because you have played this game for such a long time, experience matters a lot."

(Inputs from PTI)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 24 Jun, 2020

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