IND vs ENG, 'Rishabh Pant Is Capable' Needs To Put Team In Commanding Positions: Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara has called on teammate Rishabh Pant, who hit 91 on the third day of the first Test, to be more selective and sensible with his shots. "I am happy with the way overall he (Pant) is pl

"He (Pant) is capable of putting the team first and at the same time put up a decent total. Because you know whenever he bats, if he bats longer, we always end up putting a big total. I am sure he will realize that."

Pujara has put up a few good stands with Pant in recent times. In Australia too, they did well together on fifth-day wickets in the third and fourth Tests at Sydney and Brisbane. Pujara said that Pant's naturally aggressive game helps take the pressure off him.

"That is his natural game, can't restrict it much because if he gets too much defensive he can get out. Rather it is good that he plays his shots. But at times he has to be very selective about what shots to play. And in what situations he can take risks or stay at the crease. The more he plays, the more he will learn. It is not that quick runs are always needed. At times, you have to stay at the crease," Pujara elaborated and said that even if Pant doesn't take risks he has the ability to keep the scoreboard moving.

"When he is there at the crease, the scoreboard keeps moving. It is not like when he stays there he will become very defensive. Balancing things out is the most important thing for him. It becomes easy for me when he starts playing shots as the bowlers come under pressure. From the other end, when I get a strike, I keep playing my game. Pressure gets to the opposition and we are able to build good partnerships," said Pujara.