New Delhi. Senior India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is all set to play his 100th Test match here on Friday and he does not want to pay attention to the ongoing discussions about his age. The 35-year-old batsman said that he has not decided on the date of retirement and wants to focus on one match at a time.
Pujara told ESPN Cricinfo, “I don’t want to set targets for myself. I want to live in the present. Instead of thinking about how long I will play, I want to take it one match at a time.
“It is important to enjoy the game. It is important to be at the top of your game and then when you are not able to contribute or perform to the best of your ability then you can think about your next step. I am 35 now and I have time now.”
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Pujara will become the 13th cricketer to play 100 or more Test matches for India when he takes the field in the second Test against Australia starting on Friday. Pujara made his Test debut against Australia in 2010 and has since established himself as a Test specialist. His family will also be present at the stadium to witness his 100th Test match.
Pujara said, “Yes, it will be my 100th Test match but even then you have to play a role for the team and you have to focus more on that. We are playing an important series against Australia.
He said, “The second Test against Australia will be my 100th Test match but after that we have two more Test matches to play which will be important for us to make it to the final of the World Test Championship.” (agency)