Cheteshwar Pujara, India's current Test No.3, hailed his predecessor, his inspiration, Rahul Dravid, saying the Indian batting legend is someone he has always looked upto.
On idolising Dravid, also the former India captain, Pujara said there isn't one particular quality that he has learnt and tried to imbibe in his life from the man, but "many" that have helped him through his journey so far.
Dravid, as former India A coach now elevated to NCA head position, has been a guiding light for Pujara. Technically they may be different, but Dravid would best know how someone like Pujara can continue producing the goods at the highest level, with his game build around defence and solid temperament.
"He [Dravid] has always been calm, very composed. He has always lived a balanced life. There have been many qualities. I don't need to name one," Pujara told sports presenter Arjun Pandit on Sony Ten's 'Pit Stop' show.
"If you look at his cricketing career, there have been many ups and downs. The kind of sacrifices he has made for the team. I have never kept wickets but he is someone who has kept wickets in the Indian team when there was a need in the ODI team. To do all such things for the team, it's not easy. If you are not a regular wicketkeeper, it's one of the most difficult things."
"Apart from that, he has always been a team man. To bat at No. 3 there have been many challenges," he added on Dravid, who played 164 Tests and scored 13,288 runs at an average of 52.3.
"So he has tackled all such challenges over a period of time. not just in 1 format. He has played ODI cricket for such a long time. Even late in his career, he was successful in T20 format also, mostly IPL."
Pujara, like Dravid, remains unfazed of things at the crease and focused solely on the job at hand. There have been many instances when teams have looked to disturb his immaculate concentration, but the man has stood firm and kept his head.
"You do face sledging a bit when you start the innings. Once you are set, they don't really try to bother you much and focus on getting you out. But when they fail to dismiss you and feel frustrated, they again start the verbal volleys. It is basically to disturb the batsman's concentration," said the 32-year-old, having played 77 Tests and scored 5,840 runs at 48.7.
"I don't usually talk back but then there have been occasions when you feel that you need to give it back. However, I try to remain focused and calm because I know what my job is."
"See, sledging is a ploy to break your concentration and I feel that if I try to give it back to them, I might step into their trap. So I try to be in the zone," Pujara added.
(Inputs from India Today)
