I was expecting a call: Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara has been scoring like a ‘Run Machine’ in domestic cricket and was tipped to break into the national team for the two-Test series against England. But it was not to be. The name of the 20-year-old youngster, who has three centuries from five games, including a triple hundred, was discussed in the selection committee meeting in Chennai on Thursday, but the Saurashtra batsman was overlooked due to reason best known to the selectors.

Pujara, however, has taken the disappointment in his stride. “I was expecting a call. But it is not a big disappointment. It is not the end of the world for me,” he told DNA.

Pujara, who has scored three triple hundreds in the 2008 season, including two back-to-back knocks in the Under-22 CK Nayudu Trophy, says the setback will give him an extra motivation. “This will motivate me to score more. I am confident of doing that. I would look to improve in all areas. I want to be a complete batsman before I graduate to another level,” he added.

Ex-BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah, however, was disappointed with the selectors’ decision. “I do not know what more he has to prove. I am confident that he will make it to the Indian side soon,” Shah, who is also from Saurashtra, said.

Saurashtra has been the most improved side in the domestic circuit and it is largely because of the exploits of Pujara. “We have been playing really well this year. We have two matches to go and we are hoping to make the later stages of the Ranji Trophy,” he added.