IND vs AUS: Cheteshwar Pujara talks about a retirement date before 100th Test; 'I want to take it...'

Senior India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, set to play his 100th Test here on Friday, is t concerned about chatter regarding his and how long he will continue to play, and 35-year-old says he has t set a retirement date and would like to take it one match at a time.

With England pace-bowling stalwarts James Anderson (40 years) and Stuart Broad (36) showing is barrier in modern-day cricket, Pujara's philosophy is simple -- enjoy game and when t able to contribute, consider next step.

"I don't want to set a target for myself. I want to be in present. I want to take it one Test match at a time rar than thinking about how long I can play," Pujara told ESPNCricinfo on Tuesday.

"It's important to enjoy game, it's important to be on top of your game, and whenever you are t able to contribute, or you are t performing to best of your abilities, you can consider next step. I have just turned 35. re's still some time," he added.

Pujara will become 13th Indian to play 100 or more Tests, with Sachin Tendulkar (200 Tests) leading pack, when he sets foot on Arun Jaitley Stadium ground against Australia on Friday.

He made his Test debut in 2010 against Australia and has kept himself in reckoning in longest format ever since, overcoming troughs in his professional career with hard work and determination.

On upcoming milestone, where his family will be re to cheer him at stadium, Pujara said, "Yes, it will be my 100th Test match, but you still have a job to do for team and you focus on that a bit more. We are playing an important series against Australia. 

"Yes, second Test will be my 100th, but re will be two more Tests after that which will be very important for us to win to qualify for WTC final," said Pujara, indicating milestone will be just ar footmark in his long professional career.

He added that discipline is one of biggest prerogatives to excel in Test cricket as five-day game tests ones character, patience and temperament to limit.

"You are tested in your character, in your temperament, in your patience, as a person. It's also about how you behave off field, and that also has an impact on what you do on field because if you are t disciplined eugh in Test cricket, you will see results eventually on field. That's why Test cricket is special."

While T20 cricket is flavour of day, Pujara feels Test cricket is ultimate form of game, adding that his success is on account of leading a "very simple life".

"Yes, T20 cricket is more popular w but if you speak to any Test cricketer, regardless of how many matches y have played, y will tell you it takes a lot to become a successful Test player. I live a very simple life and that's reason I don't get distracted by too many things."

His advice to youngsters, who only play white-ball cricket for country, is to also get some first-class games under ir belt, lest y get exposed in red-ball cricket.

"If you are just playing white-ball cricket and if you aim to play Test cricket, n you should definitely play Ranji Trophy, without any doubt. Orwise you will eventually get exposed at international level in red-ball cricket.

"If you look at examples of whoever has done well in Test cricket, y would have played some red-ball cricket - wher it is Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy or India A, Rest of India. It is slightly different for bowlers, but for a batsman, it is important to play red-ball cricket," he said.