Cheteshwar Pujara has never been known for sledging opposition batsmen but he is not averse to the idea if it helps the bowler. "I do make a lot of noise while playing FIFA. And these days you see I am making a lot of noise on the field. I am learning the tricks of sledging. If you need to sledge a particular batsman, you need to sledge. It helps the bowlers," Pujara said while interactive session with Ajinkya Rahane for bcci.tv.
Talking to each other post their 217-run stand, which helped India win the second Test here and therefore the series, the pillars of India's batting in the longest format gave an insight into their mindset.
People perceive Rahane as a reserved individual, which he feels he is not. "I am not as reserved as people think. I like to talk, in fact I do talk a lot with my wife," quipped Rahane during the chat with his teammates.
While they even sledge when the need arises, both Rahane and Pujara go about their business in a calm and composed manner. That nature is something that helps bring out their best on the field.
"I have been a quiet person since childhood, maybe it is because of my family background. But staying calm helps a lot on the field, especially in Tests. However, I am not as reserved as I used to be," said Rahane before pointing towards Pujara.
Their conversation then headed towards the emphatic win in the second Test with both playing a key role in taking India past 600. "It was not easy with the ball turning around (playing on a track that offered turn and bounce). I wanted to take my time initially. I was visualising (in the dressing room) how to play against the spinners. I wanted to unsettle them," said Rahane.
Rahane also threw light on becoming an improved slip fielder.
"I remember dropping a lot of catches in my early days. It hurt me and I started working on that aspect. last time we came to Sri lanka, I decided take 100 catches in every session and I am still working on my catching," he said.
The chat ended with Pujara talking about his penchant for the big hundreds.
"I remember scoring a 300 in my first U-14 match. It all started from there. I always felt if you want to win four-day games, you need to score big runs to win it for your team. A 100 is not enough," Pujara signed off.
‘Ignore social media trolls’
Sri lankan cricketers should not be demoralised by extraneous elements in the social media and get on with the game, Team mentor Aravinda de Silva said during a motivational session here.
With Sri lanka facing flak after their dismal show in the ongoing Test series, the Cricket Board here conducted a motivational session on Monday night for the national team ahead of this week's third and final Test. The injury-marred Sri lanka lost by an innings and 53 runs in last week's second Test against India. The hosts lost the first Test by 304 runs.
They had also suffered a defeat against bottom-ranked Zimbabwe in a home ODI series, besides making early exit from the Champions Trophy in June.
Young players should "not to be discouraged by extraneous elements that seek to demoralise them via social media and gossip sites", former captain de Silva was quoted as saying by a Sri lanka Cricket statement. Fans ridiculed the Sri lankan team after their recent performances with one post joking that Sri lanka had in fact won the second Test because they had played two innings to India's one.
Government Minister Harsha de Silva also mocked at the team by posting a picture of himself with Indian skipper saying: "Told Virat Kohli #India Cricket to go easy on #Srilanka next Test. 600 a bit too steep."
Sri lanka has been going through a difficult phase ever since the retirement of senior players, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilakaratne Dilshan.
After Sri lanka bowed out of the Champions Trophy, the players were accused of having "pot bellies" by the country's sports minister.
Former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga also had recently accused the team of spot-fixing during the finals against India in the 2011 World Cup.
Sri lanka Cricket said that the players had met with top officials and coaches yesterday in an attempt to regroup after "facing what is perceived to be a slump in their performance and ranking."
The board also said it is doing its best to rectify "a series of administrative and strategic missteps over the past several years."
However, the team has got some support from chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya, who urged "everyone to stay focused and remain positive with the 2019 World Cup as their singular goal".