Have worked hard on fitness: Cheteshwar Pujara

Mumbai: Cheteshwar Pujara may not move around the field as quickly as others in the Indian team owing to the two knee surgeries at an early stage in his international career but the run-machine is working hard on his fitness to further strengthen his batting skills.

The Saurashtra batsman, who moved to career-best fifth in the ICC Test rankings, said he realised the importance of fitness.

“I have worked hard on my fitness over the last 4-6 months after the surgery. I was a bit lazy in my gym sessions earlier but I am paying a lot of attention these days. Now, I make sure I work out even if I am traveling,” he said at a conference held by his employers Indian Oil.

While he refused to answer any queries on the recently concluded tour of South Africa, where he was the leading run-scorer with 280 runs in four innings with an average of 80 citing BCCI diktat, said he was satisfied with his overall performance.

“I am really satisfied with my performance over the last one-and-a-half years. I have worked hard on my game. Improved fitness helps one to concentrate more when batting. I want to keep improving as a cricketer.”

Pujara thanked Indian Oil for showing faith in him at a young age. “I was picked by them when I was an U-19 player and had played couple of games for India U-19. It really helps when you get support early.”

The 25-year-old who suffered an injury while sliding to stop a ball in Indian Premier League in Banaglore in 2011, said he had no apprehensions about diving again. “What I do on field is purely skill-based. I have been working closely with the physiotherapist for some time now and it has been very helpful.”

Young Mumbai batsman Ajinkya Rahane, who impressed many with his confident approach against a strong bowling lineup with scores of 51 not out and 96 in the Durban Test, too, avoided questions about his performance.

“Mental toughness is very important at the highest level of the game and I am working hard on this aspect,” he said.