"Take A Call...": Cheteshwar Pujara Opens Up On Possible Coaching Career

Having bid adieu to his stellar Test career a content man, Indian Test batting great Cheteshwar Pujara wouldn't mind a coaching stint or a role at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in the next stage of his cricketing journey. Speaking to PTI days after announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket, Pujara not only gave a sneak peek into his future plans but also stressed on the importance of old school Test match batting. He also reflected on his glorious 103-Test career, that yielded over 7,000 runs, his series winning performances in Australia, and the contributions of his father and late mother.

"I've enjoyed the broadcasting work for sure. So, I'll definitely continue doing that. When it comes to coaching or any work at the NCA (Centre of Excellence), I'll be open to it," Pujara said.

"I haven't genuinely thought about it. Whenever there is any opportunity which arises, I'll try and take a call then...I've mentioned this earlier also that I would like to stay attached to the game.

"So, in whatever manner I can contribute to Indian cricket, I'll be more than happy to do so," he added.

The thought of retiring from the ground did not cross Pujara's mind and he leaves the game with no regrets.

But he acknowledged that Test cricket is hardly played in the classical way nowadays even though the relevance of conventional batters remains very much intact.

Pujara was commentating in the UK where a young India side exceeded expectations to tie the five-match series. Over the course of the series one saw unabashed aggression from the likes of Rishabh Pant and Ben Duckett but at the same time, K L Rahul at the top of the order presented a picture of calm.

Having said that, the classical form of Test match batting is a dying art. Does it make someone like Pujara sad? "I don't think I am sad. I still feel that even in the current era, there is scope for a classical Test match player. But times have changed. One needs to move on with the time," he said.

"And if I had to tell anything to a young player, I would definitely say that you should choose playing all three formats of this game because we are seeing more white ball cricket now," he added.

The reason, according to him, is that players are getting picked in the Test squad based on their performances in the IPL, or in the ODI squad.

"So when you perform well in white ball cricket, you are automatically given a chance to represent the Indian Test team. And that's why their game is on the aggressive side," he explained.

But then he also cited the examples of Abhimanyu Easwaran and Karun Nair, who are getting in after performing well in Ranji Trophy.

"So there is still a scope for players who are doing well in Ranji Trophy and still getting picked in the Test squad," said Pujara, who was India's rock at number three for more than a decade.

In the England series, K L Rahul was one of the standout batters. He played the old fashioned way at the top of the order and got the desired results. For Pujara, Rahul's approach as an opener was a beacon of hope for classical Test batting, which meant wearing out the bowlers like he did brilliantly.

"He is one of the best Test batters we have currently in the squad...he is one of the most technically correct players in the Indian team. Also, it is good that he is opening the innings which is also setting the foundation for the entire team.

"We also saw that he performed well in Australia and then his form dipped a bit but now he is working on it...he is carrying on with his form, converting his starts into big scores which is a positive thing to see.

"Hope he carries on like that not just in Test cricket but in other formats as well," said Pujara.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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