West Indies tour helped me prepare for comeback: Pujara

Hyderabad : Cheteshwar Pujara, who struck his maiden Test century here Thursday, said the recent India A’s tour of the West Indies helped him prepare well for his comeback series.

Pujara made 119 in India’s 307 for five by stumps on day one of the first Test against New Zealand and looks set for a big score in his first international game since January 2011.

“We were playing in tough conditions on the A tour to the West Indies. The series helped me prepare well for bigger challenges,” said Pujara, recalling the Caribbean tour where he captained the side.

Talking about the conditions at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here, Pujara said: “I had faced a similar bowling attack earlier and I knew the ground well. Interestingly, the pitch is slowing down and it is starting to turn.”

Pujara, recalled to the side in the wake of Rahul Dravid’s retirement, was happy about being amongst the runs in his comeback match.

“I am happy that I have started well. I would like to thank my father for supporting me. It is my immense love for the game that keeps me going,” said Pujara.

The 24-year-old was confident of a scoring a double hundred Friday.

“Dhoni is telling me to score a double-century and we will look to go past 400,” he added.