Mumbai, Feb 24: Having returned to competitive cricket after a long injury layoff, Cheteshwar Pujara has his sights set on regaining his position in the middle-order of the Indian batting lineup.

Recalling his memorable debut against Australia, Pujara remembers Sachin Tendulkar calming his nerves by telling him, ‘Don’t worry too much and try and be natural. Things will happen for you because you have the talent....’

Systematically planning his comeback at the international circuit, the 24-year-old is eager to make the most out of the opportunity that IPL 2012 presents. A keen student, the Royal Challengers Bangalore player is looking forward to picking the brains of the likes of Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori and Muttiah Muralitharan on their strategies to restrict the batsman, so that he can score off the spinners.

Speaking to bcci.tv, Pujara talked about the way forward for him and his talented contemporaries, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma and others.

On learning how to play spin bowling from the likes about Kumble, Vettori and Muralitharan

I would like to talk to them. I want to improve as an ODI and T20 player. I also want to know as spinners how they plan to restrict the batsman so you get the idea on how to score runs against them. I haven’t been in touch with Muralitharan a lot but since he is with RCB this time, I will get a chance to talk to him.

On sharing the dressing room with international players in the IPL

It has been nice being with them. First I was with KKR [Kolkata Knight Riders] where we had the likes of Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly. I enjoyed sharing the dressing room with them. Ricky Ponting was helpful. He gave me a few tips on how I can improve as a fielder and as a batsman playing in the overseas conditions. They are legends of the game and they are always ready to help the youngsters. I spent a few hours talking to them, understanding their pre-match preparation.

I spoke to Rahul Dravid a lot when I was in the Indian team and also when he was in Bangalore practicing at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) where I was doing my rehab. He is one of my idols along with Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar. I have got good tips from those guys.

On the advice and words of motivation from the seniors

I remember talking to Sachin Tendulkar when I made my debut. When I went in to bat in the first innings he told me, ‘God has given you this opportunity and he will let you do bigger things. Because you have the talent, you are here for the country. You deserve to be here. Don’t worry too much and just be natural. Things will happen for you because you have the talent....’ In the first innings I got a ball out early off a ball that kept really low and I was a bit disappointed. Sachin saw that, came to me in the evening and said, ‘I was batting on 100 but would still have gotten out to that delivery.’ He told me not to get discouraged and that my chance will come. I scored 72 in the second innings. When we met for the South African tour he asked me, ‘do you remember me telling you that your turn will come?’ I said, ‘I do remember your words’.

On his impressive debut against Australia

It’s the best moment of my life so far. I made my debut and I wanted to prove that I can play at the international level. In the first innings I got out early [lbw for four runs] but, I was confident of doing well in the second innings. I was batting well. After scoring those runs I realized I deserved to play at the international level and I have proven that. Now looking forward, the next target is to be part of the Indian team again. The first focus is on the [domestic] One-dayers and then the IPL. We have a few Test series coming up after that, of which I am looking forward to be a part.

On the competition for a spot with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Competition should be there as it is good for Indian cricket. Also, it’s not so much about competing with them as it is about me improving as a cricketer each day. I don’t worry about the competition.

Talking about those players, we play a lot of cricket together. Rohit, Ajinkya and I play our club cricket for Indian Oil and hence, we know each other very well. They’re both very good batsman. Ajinkya has already proved that by scoring runs in overseas conditions. We all have a bright future. We just have to prove ourselves at the international level.

On Gary Kirsten

He was very supportive and was always there when we needed him. Working in the nets, he gave us a lot of insights on playing in the South African conditions. It was brilliant.

On coming from an injury layoff

There have been ups and downs in this season. I haven’t scored a big ton yet. I have scored 40s and 50s and feel I am in good touch. I am known for scoring double-hundreds and triple-hundred so I am expecting that very soon. At the moment we are playing one-dayers and I hope to score big runs to help Saurashtra qualify for the knock-outs.

On the Mumbai team, who have won both their games in the Inter State One-day League so far

Looking at the [Wankhede] wicket you know that anything can happen. Both games that Mumbai played here were close ones. On one occasion, they lost six or seven wickets chasing 184 and in the last game they went on to post 233 after being 111 for seven at one stage. Gujarat lost despite being 127 for no loss. So, you never know, anything can happen. Yes, they are a good side but we too will try our best.

On his fitness

Fitness wise I have completely recovered and there are no issues with the knee. I had the ACL injury for which I had a surgery. It was disappointing because I was out when I was in form. It took me five months to recover but now I am very confident. The foremost thing for a cricketer is being fit on the field. You shouldn’t have any niggles or pain when you play and should be able to focus on the game. I have gotten there now.

On the India A tour

Whichever tournament I am selected for, I would like to play.

On changing and adapting to the three different formats

It’s about switching gears. I’ve heard the legends say that if your basics are strong you can adapt easily. In a Test match you have to respect the good ball but in the shorter formats you can convert it into a boundary ball. If you have the right technique, I believe, you can improve as an ODI and T20 player.