I know I am capable of playing in all formats: Cheteshwar Pujara

How disappointing is it not to figure in ODIs and T20s as India head for their next mission to Australia?
That is something which is not in my hands. I focus on things that I need to. I am confident that I can do well in T20s or 50 overs. I have done well in domestic one-dayers and have scored good amount of runs. I know I am capable of playing in all formats. It is just a matter of time. I am working on certain areas and am looking to improve, trying to bring in a few more shots that will help in all formats. I will do well in the coming years since I am working on it. Whenever I will get an opportunity I will do well.

Can you reveal the new shots you are developing?
I don't want to single out any particular shot. I want to keep them to myself. I don't want bowlers to know the shots I am working on. It is good to have a few shots. It definitely helps in Tests too as there are times when you are batting with the tailenders and you have to take some risks. This kind of stuff will help in all formats. There is still scope for improvement and am not lacking anywhere. Cricket is always about improving.

You had a decent series on turning tracks against South Africa. That 78 in Mohali was something special as it helped India win and gain a crucial the upper hand in the series…
I think it was excellent. The Indian team defeated world No. 1 team 3-0. It wasn't easy, though. A lot of credit goes to the players, especially the bowlers who took wickets and the batters who did a good job on wickets that I think was challenging. It wasn't unplayable, though. There was a sort of situation where everyone had to contribute, and all the batters did. I feel overall it was a good series and to beat such a good team was a difficult task. Everyone stood together and played good cricket throughout the series.

How tough is it to play on such tracks since you guys hardly play on rank turners in domestic cricket?
In domestic cricket, we play a lot on such wickets. We had the experience of playing on such wickets better than the South Africans. There are places where you get such tracks in domestic cricket. Basically, you need to play according to the situation and build partnerships. The kind of partnership I had with Murali Vijay was crucial for the team, be it 70, 80 or even 100-plus. When you start well, if you get a good partnership or two, then you are safe. So, even if later batsmen score 20, 30 or 40, we can have more than 200 runs. I believe the partnerships were the key.

Are there mental adjustments made to bat on such wickets?
Not really. When you play international cricket, you have to go through such situations where you face different wickets – seaming, flat or spinning. You have to be prepared for any challenge given to you, play according to the situation and accept it. You have to keep working on your game. Sometimes, you have to play on seaming, bouncier, swinging tracks overseas. As long as you know the game, it's easy. Mentally, you always have to be on top of your game.

How do you address your weakness against incoming deliveries?
Sometimes, in so many games you tend to get out to a few deliveries. Overall, some deliveries were really good. No, it not a big concern even though I might have got out in the same fashion. You have to keep working on your game and try not to get out in the same way again and again. Yes, I have addressed the kind of dismissals I have had but I am not aware if it's a technical error. But I will certainly figure out my way. I have been successfully playing those balls in one-day practice games and have been successful in working on those areas.

You are known to score big hundreds. Of late, such scores are missing from your bat. Do you think about it?
I have assessed that if a cricketer scores double hundreds on challenging wickets, he is expected to score a 100 on a difficult pitch too. Sometimes 30s, 40s or 70s are really good contributions to the team's success. For the kind of standard I have set for myself, I know I have to score big runs as 70s and 80s are not appreciated. I take it in a positive manner. I have to accept it and always work on my game so that I can score runs on challenging wickets like I did in Sri Lanka 145* on a difficult wicket. The main thing for me is that I contributed in team's success. I've noticed some of my knocks in 30s and 40s were really important and good enough.

You recently completed five years of international cricket. How do you reflect on those years?
Overall, I am satisfied with the way things have gone. There are ups and downs, injuries in between. Now, I am in a very good shape. The way I am enjoying my game, playing my cricket, I am in a state of mind where things are good. I am working on all aspects including bowling in the nets. Bowling is something that will take time for me to master. Bowling will obviously help me in the long run. I am a part-time leg-spinner and hope to contribute with my bowling somewhere with one odd wicket that helps the team. However, my entire focus is not bowling. Whenever I get time, I try and bowl in the nets.

What did you learn over the years?
I have learnt so many things. Starting to perform consistently is important in international cricket. I have played with many legends like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag. I was fortunate to be along with all these cricketers and to be able to interact with them. I have the best of memories in cricket that I could wish for.

In Sri Lanka you were dropped for the first two Tests. You got an opportunity to open in the third Test and scored an unbeaten 145...
It was a really important knock for me. The team was obviously was under a lot of pressure. The series was 1-1 and it was a crucial game. I got an opportunity and I was happy that I contributed at the right time. If I didn't have that crucial partnership with Amit Mishra, we may have been folded up for 200 and lost the Test match. In a way, it was an important knock for me as well as the team. To win the series away from home on a difficult wicket was special. Mentally, the good thing was I always knew I have been scoring runs at the international level. There wasn't anything wrong with my game before that series. Rahul bhai (Dravid) helped me during the India 'A' series where he said it was just a matter of time and that I'd do well.

Was it easy to open?
It was something that I have done many times before. As a No. 3, you have to face the new ball if a wicket falls early. So, it's not very new to me. The conditions were difficult and I had to be patient. Dhammika Prasad was bowling really well, the ball was doing a lot. It was a tough task but with my technique and determination, I stood there, rotated the strike and helped my team through. The win was my ultimate result.

India will play a lot of Tests at home in the coming season...
The most important thing will be to win as many matches as possible. I want to contribute to the team's success and enjoy the game. I am looking forward to the next year and hopefully will do well. It's a good opportunity for all the players who will be playing so many matches in India.

Is IPL on your radar and how important will Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for you?
I am looking forward to IPL 2016. I am working on my game. Syed Mushtaq Ali is the right platform where I can showcase my game. I want to improve as a player. There are six league games and I am confident of doing well.

English county cricket has made many international careers. How has it been in your case?
It does help. I have played for Derbyshire and Yorkshire and enjoyed my time, especially playing for Yorkshire. It was good. The weather was cold and the wickets were challenging. Playing on such wickets, you learn to tackle fast bowling. For Indians, it is not easy to go and play in such cold weather. Once you have that experience of playing there, obviously you start to know what's happening and what one needs to do to be successful in such conditions. Sharing the dressing room with Yorkshire teammates was fantastic. It gives a lot of confidence and experience. By playing on challenging wickets, you become a little more confident when when you play for India as you have already played on such wickets which helps you perform.

How has marriage changed you?
As a person, you feel your life is settled. There is another person taking care of you. For me, I have almost completed three years of marriage. When it comes to cricket, nothing has changed. My work ethics are still the same, my wife has been helpful. She knows the routine cricketers need to do – practice, fitness, etc. Once you are married, you still need to focus on your game and manage your family. I am thankful to my wife, she has been a big support.

What made you start a cricket academy in Rajkot for the poor?
I wanted to help cricketers who can't afford this game. I have managed to give them the right facilities and infrastructure. In smaller cities, you have to provide turf wickets as they used to practice on a cement wicket that I used to practice on. It was my father's (Arvind Pujara) idea to help this game. It was important to give a right platform to the youngsters. We are not charging a single penny. Right now, we have not named it as our main aim was to start as quickly as possible.

What has been your father's role in your success and how crucial it was?
He is the most important person as far as my cricket is concerned. He has coached many cricketers and me since I was eight. My father used to coach all the players at the Railway cricket ground since he was a Railways employee. He has been my coach and I have learnt a lot from him. Ever since my mother succumbed to cancer, my father has been everything to me. He has overcome all the tough situations and still played the role of a coach for me.