Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer need to take cue from Cheteshwar Pujara on his logic behind playing in Ranji Trophy

Cheteshwar Pujara is out of the Indian team for over six months now, but he continues to set an example for the new crop of India batters including Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer.

At a time when centrally contracted players are avoiding playing Ranji Trophy matches for their state sides despite not being on national duty, and just waiting for the IPL to start, Pujara continues to toil hard all around India to improve his game, and earn a recall.

The veteran of 103 Test matches, is currently the sixth-highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24. The 36-year-old has scored 673 runs in six matches at an average of 74.78.

In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, the Saurashtra star was asked how he prepared himself for the Ranji Trophy after getting dropped from the Indian team. He revealed that he scored a hundred in a club match while facing bowlers like Dhawal Kulkarni, Sandeep Sharma, Shams Mulani and Shivam Dube.

"By playing a competitive club match in Mumbai just before the Ranji season. I just love this game. I am passionate about it. I got a hundred in that match against Dhawal Kulkarni, Sandeep Sharma, Shams Mulani and Shivam Dube. My club team was weaker against the opposition. So, I wanted to ensure I put my best foot forward and we won the match," Pujara told Hindustan Times.

"I am saying this because that's exactly why I play for Saurashtra. I want us to qualify for the Ranji knockouts. It's about having the same passion whether it is Saurashtra, Sussex or my club. Obviously, there is different pride playing for the country. But you keep continuing the hard work. Try and follow the same routine," he added.

Pujara working on sweep, reverse-sweep and lofted shots

Despite playing 103 Test matches, and scoring over 7000 runs, Pujara is still working hard to better his game. At present Pujara, who failed to earn a recall despite the absence of Virat Kohli in the ongoing India vs England Test series, is currently looking to master the art of playing sweep, reverse-sweep and lofted shots.

"For a cricketer, new peaks keep coming. It's about working on your game, refining it. For the last one-and-half years, I have been working on my sweep shots, my reverse sweep as well as lofted shots. There are times in Ranji Trophy when you encounter tough pitches, where teams are bowled out for 150-200 and the matches finish in two-and-half days. That's when it doesn't matter whether you have played 100 Tests or have 10,000 Test runs, you are bound to get out. That's when you need some unorthodox shots. And it's paying off. I have seen results for me this season on difficult pitches," he said.

Pujara hasn't yet given up on his dream to make an India comeback. He said that scoring runs in Ranji Trophy is difficult.

"Definitely", The way I have been batting and keeping up with my fitness, I am very confident. Scoring runs in Ranji Trophy is not a piece of cake, even though people may want to say it. There is no DRS and decisions don't always go your way. To keep scoring one has to work hard and be at the top of the game. I hope I will be able to continue to contribute at whichever level I get an opportunity."