The Indian Test team was blessed to have the services of Rahul Dravid at the crucial number three position for over a decade.
Dravid, often called ‘The Wall’, passed on the number three baton to Saurashtra’s premier batter Cheteshwar Pujara at the Test level. In the 75 matches played thus far, Pujara has amassed 5740 runs at an average of 49.5.
Pujara has smashed 18 Test tons in the process along with a couple of double tons. As soon as Pujara cemented his place in the Test team, viewers instantly drew parallels with Dravid.
This is largely due to the similar style of play, seeing off spells through the solid defense. Although, Pujara reckons that it is unfair to compare him with the legendary Indian cricketer.
The 32-year old believes that he still has to make a mark in all formats of the game to be fairly compared with Dravid.
Dravid is one of the few players who have registered over 10,000 runs in both ODIs and Tests. “It is a big honor for me, but it’s not the right comparison,” Pujara told Boria Majumdar in a recent interview for India Today.
“Because I still have a lot of things to achieve in my life and someone like Rahul Bhai who has played all the formats, scored more than 10,000 runs in Tests and ODIs, he’s played T20 format as well. So I still have a lot of achieving, and I’m still learning,” added India’s number three in Tests.
Pujara had a breakthrough series abroad against Australia in 2018-2019, where he piled on the most number of runs from both teams.
His fighting knock at Adelaide (123) completely changed the course of the series, giving India the much-required headstart in the 4-match Test series which India won by 2-1 margin. He was adjudged as the Man of the Series for his effort.
“I’m at an age where I have taken a lot of guidance from him (Dravid), and luckily he’s always available,” concluded Pujara.
