Tough pitch to score runs on, says Cheteshwar Pujara

Melbourne, Dec 27 - India's Cheteshwar Pujata, who scored a brilliant century on the second day of the third Test Against Australia on Thursday said the pitch was difficult to bat on.

Pujara played 319 balls and scored 106 runs.

"It is a tough pitch to score runs on. If you look at the first two days, the number of runs scored (in a day) is very (few). In a way, scoring 200 in a day is a tough task," Pujara was quoted as saying by ICC's official website.

"I felt there was a difference I felt while batting in how the wicket was on the first day and today on day two. So I think we have enough runs on board. You have to bat according to the wicket. On another wicket, I may have scored 140 or 150 after facing so many balls," he added.

In recent times Pujara has sometimes been under pressure for not scoring runs at the same consistency overseas as he does at home, but by bringing up his second century on this tour, the batsman has laid those suggestions to rest.

"I always knew I can score runs. It is always good to get those hundreds. It was a perception that I always score runs at home. But India play a lot of Test matches at home, I have always said that. Sometimes, things become really difficult, especially when you are on an overseas tour. It's not easy to score runs," he said.

"My job is to score runs and I'll keep doing that, whether it's home or away. Sometimes you get criticised and you just have to accept it. But if India keep winning, ultimately everyone is happy," Pujara added.

IANS