People expect consistency, that is what I like and I would like to repeat: Cheteshwar Pujara

You have had a good run with the bat against New Zealand and then England.

Starting from New Zealand, overall it looked good. However, I couldn’t convert the good starts to big scores, which later I did. First in the third Test against New Zealand where I scored a hundred and then England. I had worked hard on my batting and the kind of form I was in domestic cricket — Duleep Trophy — where I got a double hundred. It was about getting into the rhythm. I had the experience as I had scored double hundreds against England and Australia on the previous tour. It was just a matter of time for me to get back in to rhythm and start scoring again.

There were quite a few occasions in both the series when you looked good and could have converted the 50 plus scores into three figures.

I do agree with that. At times, I do get disappointed on missing out on a hundred. Having played brilliantly you fail to capitalise and miss out, it is disappointing. Yes, sometimes I do feel that. But at times, I also feel and have to accept that I performed well and have put the team in good position. If the team hasn’t lost wickets and the scoreboard reflects we are in good position, then it is satisfying. It is disappointing though not to get 100s, but you learn from mistakes. 

Again someone like you who was known for big hundreds — you scored two double tons in your international career — but we haven’t seen you get those big hundreds in the recent times.

Big hundreds are not easy to score. Scoring a 100 is also a big achievement. If I was able to convert each of my hundreds into double hundreds, it would be great. But not many batsman have done that. I have got two big double hundreds and at the same time I have scored 100s and I’m happy about it.

The conditions were not easy to bat on. What kind of a challenge is it to bat on surfaces like these where the ball has variable bounce?

I think the experience comes into play. We have played a lot of domestic cricket across India. It is about the preparation as well. We were well prepared for the series. Once you have done your homework well, you can be on top of the opposition and things become easier. I always feel scoring runs against strong teams and the situations is satisfying. Scoring 100s on difficult or flat tracks is always satisfying at the international level. It was probably a tough series, especially, the longevity – five Test matches. They were a good team and had done well even in India before. To score against them was very satisfying.

Which was the most satisfying knock you played in the two series?

I enjoyed scoring all the hundreds. However, the hundred I scored in my home town, Rajkot, in front of my family, friends and relatives is very special. There were lot of expectations and it was the first Test in Rajkot.

There was a phase in between when you were criticised for playing slow and then you were dropped in one of the Tests on the West Indies tour...

I understand sometimes there might be something in the papers but I have always believed in working on my game. Even when I spoke to Rahul (Dravid) bhai before the Sri Lanka series (last year), he said there was nothing wrong and it was just a matter of time that I would get a big score as I was batting well in the nets. He told me to keep your game as it is and then time will come you would get back among the runs. I would like to thank Anil (Kumble) bhai, too, who told me not to worry and focus on my batting. The way I have been batting in domestic cricket, dominating the bowlers, I should do the same at international level. He told me to have the intent of dominating bowlers and play my natural game.

How do you take criticisms that come your way?

As a cricketer, I don’t worry much about criticism. The best way to take criticism is by motivating yourself and work on your game. Once you start scoring, everything will be solved. If there is a technical error you start working on it. Once you start performing, things become normal and they will say this guy has worked hard. That is the best way to tackle criticism. When you are playing at the international level, each and every move, the errors you make will be taking seriously. I feel the player should be given space to perform. He also has to be mentally strong. It is about how strong and positive you are.

Are critics important for a player’s development?

It depends on individuals. There are some who will come out and work hard on their game and then there are some who will be bogged down.

When it comes to advice who do you listen to?

I have trust in my father. I am very thankful that there are people I can always go to like Rahul Dravid who knows lot of things about the game. We have the best coaches in the Indian team. Basically these people. Ultimately what counts is as an individual what kind of confidence you have in yourself and your abilities. The faith and trust in yourself keeps you going along with how much you work on the game. Once you know you are capable of scoring big runs and have the records, it will be easy. There will be ups and downs. Once I start scoring hundreds, the confidence will be back.

You have a long break now considering India will play ODIs against England followed by Australia series. Don’t you think you will lose the momentum?

I think it is a good thing. Good thing in the sense that I will be practising again and the best part about it is that when you have a series where you have done well, you will have the confidence. You can focus on few things and improve. Once you are in form, it is always important that it gets better.

India looks solid at home. The team bonding looks solid too...

It is like one big family not just the individuals. Most of us have played together since our junior cricket days, played against each other in domestic cricket. Not just that we have been playing together for the past one and half years or two years. There is a lot of understanding and good communication between every individual and we have gelled very well together.

Captain Virat Kohli leads by example with the bat. How important is that for the team?

Virat is a great inspiration for players not just for his batting but in fitness and fielding too. It is good to have a leader who leads from the front. Everyone gets opportunity and responsibility and everyone has a lot to offer and has to lead from the front. 

What are the challenges ahead for you in 2017?

I don’t think there are challenges. I have to perform to the best of my abilities. I just need to continue and keep working on my game. People expect consistency, that is what I like and I would like to repeat.

Ravindra Jadeja said the team’s vow is to put up good show overseas.

We have performed well outside. I don’t think we have to prove it to anyone. The focus has to be what is coming next. At the moment, we have four Tests against Australia. When we go abroad, we will think about that.