Cheteshwar Pujara opens up about comparisons with Rahul Dravid

Cheteshwar Pujara might not be the flashiest cricketer, both on and off the field. Yet, there are currently very few batsmen in India who can absorb pressure and weather difficult spells in Test cricket like him. It helps when your role model is the iconic Rahul Dravid, who was affectionately nicknamed ‘The Wall’, during his playing days.

However, Pujara has played down the comparisons with Dravid by stating that there is still a long way to go before he reaches that stature. Speaking to Wisden India, the 28-year old expressed admiration for the great man and also revealed about his relationship with Virat Kohli.

The Rajkot-born batsman enthused, “Initially it was a compliment, comparing myself with such a great cricketer. Over a period of time I have realized that if I am batting at No. 3, I have to stick to my strengths, which are very similar to Rahul Dravid’s. I have learnt many things by interacting with him.”

He added, “When I was out of form before the Sri Lanka series and was playing for India A, he was the coach and was very helpful. The comparison should not keep on going. He has more than 10,000 runs in both formats and I have just started.

“There is a lot of time to go. I don’t believe in comparison because he played in a different era and now the mindsets are completely different.”

‘I always discuss strategies with Kohli’

Pujara cherished being an integral part of a promising Test team under Kohli’s captaincy. Praising the Delhi dasher’s dedication to the team, he asserted, “The kind of work ethic Virat has, the kind of preparation he has before the game, the fitness and fielding, there are so many things.

“The kind of time he spends in the nets, the kind of work he does in the gym, on the field to improve his fielding.“

The sturdy right-hander affirmed, “I like spending time with him because he is very active and always observing what the bowler is doing. We always discuss strategies. He always comes to me and says this is what I have done and it has helped me. If you want you can try it out.“

Playing a starring role in the away Test series victory against Sri Lanka with an unbeaten century, Pujara admitted that it was not easy making a comeback into the team.

He said, “I just wanted to play my natural game rather than worrying about getting out and being dropped. I never thought about it. I tried and kept my mind blank where I don’t get any positive or negative thoughts. I played according to the situation.“

Pujara who plays for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy was also exuberant about the vibrancy in the Test set-up. He felt, “When it comes to the young Test team, everyone is on the same wavelength where you can share your experience and talk about the positives and negatives. The communication part is really good.”