Cheteshwar Pujara, India's star batsman in the first test against England walked down the center to replace opener Gautam Gambhir. It didn't take the English bowlers much time to create another opportunity for a wicket when Cheteshwar's ball landed just short of Anderson who was fielding at mid-on. After showing outstanding commitment on the field coupled with some of the most elegant cricketing shots, Pujara raised his bat to tell the world that he was now a part of the 200 club.
The 24 year old right hand batsman from Gujarat played an innings even the most experience batsman dream of playing. He played every ball at its merit, waited for the bad ball to punish,offered solid defense to the better balls and left those that didn't really bother him. Pujara knew this was his opportunity to make a mark and by keeping his game simple and playing to his strengths he played an innings that put his team in the drivers seat and on its way to victory.
While, there is no doubt that Pujara played an innings that makes him fully entitled to being the country's hero like every player who scores a century, but comparing hime to the orignal No. 3, Rahul Dravid so early in his career is absolutely unfair not only to Dravid,to Indian cricket but to young Pujara himself. An article that I was reading a day after Pujar scored the double whammy went on to refer to him as the 'reconstructed wall.' It also went onto state that 'India had already found a replacement for Dravid in Pujara.'
It would be absolutely unfair to take anything away from Pujara but he just hasn't accomplished anything that would bring him close to being compared to India's batting legend, Mr. Rahul Dravid.
Rahul Dravid wasn't the batsman who would play a single lose shot even early on in the innings. Every bowler was made to work for his wicket unlike many cricketing greats from across the world. He would play every game with the same determination and focus irrespective of the place and the opposition. For Cheteshwar Pujara to earn a mention alongside Dravid, he would need to be consistent in his approach and continue to play his fine game not only in India but overseas as well.
It would be great for Indian cricket if it could find Dravid's replacement in Cheteshwar Pujara but starting comparisons so early in the day, absolutely unfair to Indian cricket, Dravid and Pujara.
For the sake of Indian cricket, I really wish Pujara keeps up his spectacular game and guides Indian to many victories in the future. Leaving you with a video of his fine shots enroute the double century against England.
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