Hope Test cricket continues for as much time as possible: Pujara

Ackwledging T20 cricket's growing popularity, Cheteshwar Pujara is hoping that traditional Test format, in which he thrives with his workmanlike approach, will continue to exist. "Times are changing and white-ball cricket has become popular. But Test cricket is always special and it will always remain special. And let us hope it continues for as much time as possible," Pujara was quoted as saying in 'ESPNcricinfo'. ICC recently contemplated making Test cricket a four-day affair from 2023 but idea has been met with vehement opposition from some of game's greats such as Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.

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'Hope Test cricket continues for as much time as possible'

Pujara said his 50th first-class century will boost his confidence ahead of India's upcoming Test tour of New Zealand, where he will need to "trust" his game. two-match series assumes significance as a win re will leave India within touching distance of making 2021 final of ongoing inaugural World Test Championship. On Saturday, Pujara joined a select group of cricketing greats by reaching landmark ton during Saurashtra's Ranji Trophy Group B match against Karnataka.

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"If you achieve such a thing before such tours, you feel confident and you start trusting your game again."

"That is because when you are going abroad and you are playing in challenging conditions, you need to trust your game, trust your preparation."

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With his 50th first-class century, Pujara joined nine Indians led by Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. "It is right time actually - we are going to New Zealand soon so it is good for preparation. Whenever you score runs, you are high on confidence and you also get back your rhythm." 31-year-old Pujara, who has 18 Test centuries to his credit, is fourth on list of active players with most first-class centuries behind England's Alastair Cook (65), South African Hashim Amla (52) and India's domestic cricket giant Wasim Jaffer (57). 

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