Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has extended his support behind the veteran Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara and has brushed aside the concerns regarding the top-order batter. Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been going through a rough phase in his career, hasn’t had the best of times in international cricket lately, with his last Test century coming in 2019.
Due to his bad form and lack of runs, questions were raised on his position in the playing XI of team India. But the Indian team management showed faith in him. However, Pujara failed to fulfill the expectations of the fans once again as he registered a golden duck and 16 runs in the first Test against South Africa in Centurion. He was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi twice in the match.
The Indian cricket team will be locking horns with South Africa in the upcoming second test match in Johannesburg from January 2. Rahul Dravid has backed Pujara to do well in the second Test match in Johannesburg saying that the veteran batter has achieved a lot in the years he has played in the longest format of cricket.
Brushing away the concerns behind Pujara’s form, Rahul Dravid, while speaking in a virtual press conference on the eve of the second Test said:
“I hate using the word ‘concerned’. He is doing the best he can. I do recognize that at times, certainly, he’d like to score more. Someone like him sets really high standards for himself. He has achieved a lot in the ten years he has played cricket. He knows the highs he has had and the kind of success, performances, or runs scored in the past. He would like to replicate that and keep doing that over and over again,”
He added:
“Sometimes it doesn’t happen but it’s not about being worried, it is about the position he bats which is a bit tough in these conditions. When you get to set, it is nice of your top three or four getting to convert a big score. If that happens, it sets you up very well as a team. It would be great if Pujara does that because we know when he does that, a lot of times India do win those games or put yourself in a really good position,”
