India’s prominent Test campaigner Cheteshwar Pujara is upbeat for Sri Lanka challenge and believes it will be a “good opportunity” to prepare for the tough tour of South Africa, to be held in 2018.
“Obviously, next year’s South Africa series is something that is there at the back of my mind. The upcoming Sri Lanka series will be a good opportunity to prepare for the South Africa assignment. I am confident of doing well,” Pujara told PTI on Thursday.
Following a lengthy series comprising of three Tests and as many ODIs and T20Is, starting November 16, India will tour South Africa for three Tests, six ODIs and three T20I in January next year.
Pujara has his foresight on South Africa tour though he said the preparation will certainly start closer to the series. “But I believe once we assemble to play the Test series against Sri Lanka, there will be some serious discussions on the South African tour. There will be strategies and plans in place,” he added.
India toured Sri Lanka in July this year and returned home with a 3-0 clean sweep victory. Pujara was the centre of attraction in dominating Indian side, as he scored blistering knocks of 153 and 133 runs in the first two Tests at Galle and Colombo, respectively.
The 29-year-old Saurashtra batsman has everything to answer the Sri Lankan bowling attack, though he doesn’t want to be complacent ahead of a new series.
“During the last series, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack may not have been one of the best but Test runs never come easy. You have to fight for every run that you score in longer format.
“Also every series is a new series. Your intensity does not change according to the opposition you play. Sri Lanka is also an international side and you have to give them the same respect like any other team,” Pujara continued.
So far so good, Pujara has scored 4107 runs in 51 Tests with 13 centuries.