The transformation of Pujara

India Test captain Virat Kohli's move to drop Cheteshwar Pujara in the third Test against West Indies in Gros Islet, has turned out to be quite productive.

Pujara, whose scores were 16 and 46 in the first two Tests against the Windies, was replaced by Rohit Sharma in the third. And this might have triggered a change in his approach to the game.

Since being dropped, Pujara has been a player transformed.

On Tuesday, too, he showed his form when he scored an unbeaten 101 against New Zealand, helping India give their opponents a difficult target to chase in the third Test at the Holkar stadium here. This was his eightth Test hundred after he came close to scoring centuries twice in the series.

After returning from the Caribbean Islands, the Saurashtra batsman has been in a roaring form, having scored 166 and a double century (256 not out) for India Blue in the Duleep Trophy.

Post that, his scores in the New Zealand series has been 62, 78, 87, 4, 41 and 101*.

Often accused of batting slow, Pujara amassed runs quickly along with Gautam Gambhir (50) on Tuesday and had a decent strike rate of 68.24 that gave India enough time to bowl the opposition out.

"He batted really well. There is no question about it," Cheteshwar's father-cum-coach Arvind Pujara told dna a day after his son reached the three figure mark.

"On a wicket when 13 wickets have fallen in one day, and the conditions are against the batsman, scoring a 100 is a big thing. It was a valuable knock considering that the whole New Zealand side were shot out on this wicket," he added.

The senior Pujara is happy that his son now plays positive cricket. "Cheteshwar has become more positive in his approach. He now plays depending on the situation. When you lose the first wicket early, you have to slow down and stay there, but when you have the game in control, you should play openly, which is what he is showing now," said Arvind.

The coach also analysed his student's mind. "It was important for him to play fast and prove he can play that game. He has got a perfect mind and can adapt to the situation quickly. The second fifty in the hundred that he scored in Indore came in 50 balls. This shows his ability to play in all situations," said Pujara.

The senior Pujara has an advice for his son. "Cheteshwar must play according to his strength. You should always be positive in your approach."

The next big assignment for 'Chintoo' as he is called by his friends would be against England. Arvind is hoping that he will continue in the same manner.

"Lets hope so. England is a good side. Cheteshwar will keep working hard. You cannot say that I want to play and score. It all depends on that day and how it turns out. He just needs to take forward the confidence and rhythm from the New Zealand series while taking on England."