Cheteshwar Pujara played an important role in winning two back-to-back Test series in Australia in 2018/19 and 2020/21. The Test specialist had scored three hundreds in the 2018/19 tour down under. However, he has not scored a single century since then and has averaged in the mid-20s. 

There are reports and speculations that the number 3 batsman might not start in the upcoming five-match Test series against England. The rumors have grown even more after KL Rahul scored a 100 in the practice match against Select County XI. 

Former India batsman VVS Laxman said that the number 3 spot was crucial and that the Saurashtra batsman must be aware of his lean patch. 

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"There is no doubt that Pujara will be mindful of the lean patch he is going through, as far as scoring those big fifties or scoring those hundreds and you expect a lot from Pujara at the No.3 position because that is a very important position along with both the openers," VVS Laxman stated on Star Sports.

Rahul Dravid is arguably the best number 3 Test batsman India ever had and was prolific in England. He scored 1,376 runs in 13 matches at an incredible average of 68.6 which included six centuries.

Laxman cited Dravid’s example and said that it was because of the strong top-order, especially Dravid, that team India managed to win matches in England in 2002 and the series in 2007. 

"In 2002 and 2007, the reason behind our victories on those two tours was because our top order and our No.3 batsman, which was Rahul Dravid, they fired. Once the top order sets a very good foundation, it allows the middle-order batsmen to come and play their natural game and while doing that you post a very healthy total in the first innings and you are always dictating the terms," Laxman added.