Cheteshwar Pujara on Thursday lamented the Australian media's comparison of Virat Kohli with Donald Trump's attitude towards scribes, saying tasteless comments are dominating headlines instead of cricketing achievements.
Pujara's epic double ton in the third Test, Smith's battle of attrition in Pune and Ranchi, lyon and Ashwin's magical spells in Bengaluru have all been put in the backburner thanks to the bad blood that has spilled over with equal contribution from all stakeholders.
"I think it's really sad to hear such comments. We fully support Virat and he is one of the great ambassadors of this game. I think the focus has shifted somewhere else, which shouldn't have happened. We are very much focussed on the game. He is a great leader and so we are fully supporting him. We are looking forward to the next game rather than worrying about anything else," said Pujara, who along with Kl Rahul has been India's most consistent batsman in the series.
The current series has dominated air space as much off the field as it has been for the combative cricket that has been played on it.
It started with Kohli loosely accusing opposite number Steve Smith of cheating during 'DRS', which the Aussie skipper had termed 'brain fade'.
From being called 'leader of snakes' to 'the Donald Trump of cricket' by the visiting media, Kohli has been facing all kinds of allegations at a time when he has also not been amongst runs.
Not to be left behind was Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, who took a sly dig at the Indian captain, stating that perhaps he doesn't know the spelling of sorry.
Once what Steve Waugh termed as 'mental disintegration', the touring Australian media has taken it to an altogether different level attacking Kohli, whose form has not been great of late.
The continuous attack on Kohli prompted former Australian skipper Michael Clarke to comment on record that "two or three journalists (from Australia) are trying to tarnish Virat's image which he should not be bothered about".
‘Acquired patience by EXPERIENCE’
Virat Kohli is epitome of swagger, Kl Rahul's strokeplay embodies lazy elegance but it is patience that is Cheteshwar Pujara's second name which he has earned through his grind from the age of 13.
"I think when it comes to patience, it is all hard work. I started playing cricket at the age of 8 and then I played first (representative) game for the state team at the age of 13. Since then, I have been playing this format and I think it's the experience of playing domestic circuit and working hard, day in and day out is paying off now," said Pujara.
The Saurasthtra batsman had faced the maximum deliveries by an Indian batsman in a single Test innings.
With 348 runs, Pujara has been head and shoulders above other Indian batsmen and he feels that when he is in the midst of a long innings, he can attain zen like calm.
"I can say that at times, I am in that zone where things are happening for me because of that experience, because I know how to do things, how to continue batting and how to continue concentrating for a longer periods of time. I don't really think when I am batting out there in the middle. I try and keep my mind really blank."
Pujara would tell you that when someone is playing more than 500 balls in a Test innings, it is important to switch on and switch off at the right time.
Trying to save a game and then set it up for your team is physically exhausting and Pujara would tell you the importance of recovery routine.
"I focus on my diet. I try and sleep on time and have a good sleep. Do some recovery sessions, have a massage. Those sort of things. I have some routines once the match finishes. I try and focus on that. I give a lot of importance to recovery.
"I don't know mentally, I think you just have to be up for it. Mentally, you can't do anything extra to just come out of it but when you are tired, you just have to motivate yourself and the ultimate goal is to win matches for the team and win this particular series."
Pujara has now been upgraded among the 'Elite 7' of Indian cricket team after being promoted in the top bracket of Central Contracts. But right now, he does not want to talk about it.
"It's good to be recognised but at the same time. We are in the middle of a series and I don't want to really think about the contract. We have an important game coming up and I would still like to focus on the game and prepare well."
Dharamsala wicket will help fast bowlers but Pujara is not really worried as most of the members have played a lot of cricket over here. "It looks like a good wicket. I think we have played a lot of cricket even in Dharamsala. We have played enough first-class cricket to know the conditions. We will just try and focus on things which want to focus on rather than worrying about how the wicket will play. We have played enough cricket on different pitches throughout
the season."