‘That was the best series of my cricketing career’: Cheteshwar Pujara opens up on most challenging Border-Gavaskar edition

When Rahul Dravid retired from Test Cricket in 2012, finding his successor was a task as the 'Wall' was one of the greatest Test batsmen India produced. However, by that time India already had the services of Cheteshwar Pujara and in the years to come by he became another sturdy talent India produced in a similar batting position. 
In his 13-year of Test career, Pujara has played 98 Test matches and is inching closer to a milestone of 100-match mark in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.  With such a long career it's expected to have challenging tours and especially for Cheteshwar Pujara who has toured the SENA countries on many occasions. 
Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home, Pujara deemed the 2018/19 tour of Australia as the most challenging tour of his career. The series saw Pujara's best as the right-hander scored 521 runs - The highest in the Indian batting line-up. 
"I've enjoyed a few good series. But that was the best series of my cricketing career. The way I was batting and concentrating, there was a lot of physical and mental stress during that series. Every game was a challenge," Pujara told the Times of India.
Australia are all but through for the WTC final and have won in all kinds of conditions this season. Australian cricket has always been competitive and even when they are in a transition phase they are a strong side. Stating the same Pujara has regarded that he likes such kind of battles. 
"They are a competitive side. They throw a challenge at you and I'm someone who likes that kind of battle. It's not just the verbal battle, but the cricketing battle. They are always a fighting team. As a player, whenever the team is in a difficult situation, your role is to ensure that you pull them out of trouble," the middle-order batter said. 
Before Pujara it was VVS Laxman who produced some masterclass against the strong Aussie sides. Carrying on the legacy Pujara too has played some of the most important knocks of his career against Australia. "There have been times when I've played such important knocks and most of them have come against the Australians. I think it's about being mentally strong about what you want to achieve for your team, for your country," the batter further added.
Despite suffering major blows in Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, Australia still poses a potent threat in terms of bowling. With Virat, Rohit, Pujara and KL Rahul to India's display, Australia have the services of Smith, Khwaja, Labuschagne and head. The thrilling showdown awaits.