A keenly contested 113 in 137 balls, a rock solid support structure for Tendulkar in his farewell match, getting live advice from the legend himself, Pujara says the privilege was all his. Excerpts of the post-match day Press conference:
Can you put thoughts to your effort hereIJ
I was just looking to settle down because initially I thought there would be little bit of help for the fast bowlers as it happened on the first day. I felt that there wasn’t much help because the ball was old and I just wanted to bat the way I batted yesterday. So there was nothing serious which I planned because I knew the conditions, I was batting on 34 so I just wanted to be natural and play my game.
How was it to engineer a partnership with SachinIJ
It was a very good partnership. Initially it was very difficult for me to concentrate because there was a lot of noise from the crowd and I was just coming in and hadn't face any balls. He faced the first ball before me because Vijay got out. It was really difficult but he told me to just stay focussed. Once I played a few balls it was easy for me to bat then.
What was it like for you when Sachin got outIJ
It was disappointing but the way he batted, it was really amazing to see him score those runs. I is always determined to score — as determined as he might have been in his first game. There are many things to learn from Sachin.
He is always in form and the way he bats, it is a pleasure to watch. He kept guiding me. Whenever I lost concentration, he would come and tell me 'now you have to focus a little bit more'. In my debut too, we had a partnership going.
Tell us more on Sachin's innings.
It is not easy to stay calm when you are playing your last game. There was a lot of expectation from him as he was playing in Mumbai and it was his last Test match. But the way he batted it is incredible and only he can do it.
Whose knock was best — Sachin's, your's or Rohit'sIJ
I would say that Sachin's knock was the best of the three innings. You have to understand the situation where he was playing his last game in Mumbai. There was a lot of pressure of expectations on him and it was difficult to concentrate out there in the middle with the crowd making such a noise. It wasn't easy to stay calm in such a situation
You have a good record in Tests...
I get a very good start in the Test format and I just want to continue the way I am batting. But I am a little bit disappointed because I had the opportunity to score more runs.
What do you make of the oppositionIJ A one-sided contestIJ
We have played good cricket as a team. There were times in the first Test match where they did really well. We were 80 for five and we had to come back. It is never easy to win a Test match no matter who your opposition is. We are playing good cricket and we should be credited for it.
After your knee injury was running between wickets a concernIJ
I don’t have any issues with my knee now and I have been working hard on my fitness. My legs are strong. Even when I am fielding I can feel the difference what I was before the surgery and what I am now. So there is a lot of improvement.
Would you call this your best inningsIJ
I would say Sachin’s innings was the best because he was playing his last game and it is not easy to focus. There was a lot of nervousness but the way crowd was supporting, it was good on its part. But when you are in the middle it is difficult to concentrate so I would rate Sachin’s innings as the best.
What do you say about Rohit’s superb showingIJ
He batted really well, the way VVS laxman used to bat with the tail. It was not easy to score runs. He was batting on 50 or 60 when we were eight down and from there onwards to score a hundred is a big achievement. He has started off well, even in the first Test match so he is in good form. He has done well in the ODI format also.
Your views on Sachin leaving team in sound youngsters' hands...
Team India is doing really well but there is a lot of input from Sachin Paaji on the way the youngsters should shape up. He has been guiding them all and ever since my debut I have seen youngsters benefiting from his inputs and talk downs.
Tell us about the discussion you had with Sachin at nets before the match.
I was not playing well and struggling against the outswingers at net. So he told me that my right shoulder was opening up a bit more and I should be a bit side on. He also told me to have a bigger stride and I tried doing it once I finished my nets and it helped.
Did you notice any behavioural changes in Sachin in his last matchIJ
I don’t think so because the way his preparation is before the game, it is still the same. He might have worked harder at nets to succeed in this match, that's all.