Cheteshwar Pujara has become the rock for India in Test match cricket. After the retirement of Rahul Dravid, Pujara was his ideal replacement to bat at number 3 in Tests. Pujara is old school when it comes to batting and grinds the opposition down with his proper Test match batting.
The right-handed batsman only plays one format of the game and values Test cricket immensely. Dravid said that Pujara is a rare breed in today’s world and the last of his generation. Dravid credited Pujara’s father who from a very young age taught his son how to put a price on your wicket by playing traditional cricketing shots.
“There will always be a place for a person like Pujara because his technique will always contribute to the winning of a game. He’s the last of a breed. You’re not going to see too many players like that coming through because they’re not going to be taught that way”.
“I don’t think any coach or parent is going to teach someone from the age of 8-10 like the way Pujara’s father taught him about the value your wicket, hit it in the V. I don’t think they’re teaching them like that anymore. He’s the last of a generation”, Dravid told ESPNcricinfo’s videocast.
Dravid pointed out that Pujara from a very early age understood that he needed to work very hard to play for India. He also commented that Pujara knows his strengths and weaknesses.
The former Indian captain also lauded his play against spin and added that he is not only about defence and has a wide range of shots. Dravid also praised Pujara’s concentration level and said that he understands his game.
“Coming from a place like Saurashtra it was drilled into his head early on that he needed to do much more than other players from bigger cities. Saurashtra has done well in the last four-five years but before that, they wouldn’t play too many Ranji Trophy semifinals. So he had to make every inning count and that’s the way he has built his batting”.
He added, “He is exceptional against spin. He can start slow but once a spinner comes on he’s better than many other guys and even me, and I don’t mean hitting sixes. Just the way he rotates strike and how he uses his feet. I remember he drove Nathan Lyon nuts by stepping out nearly every single ball. And this a world-class bowler we are talking about. Pujara made it so easy and I haven’t seen a lot of people do that”.
“He has worked out his game phenomenally well. His concentration is excellent. And he knows that he is playing only one format of the game so he makes his every Test count”, said Dravid about Pujara.
