Wrong to compare me with Dravid, says Pujara

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It took England bowlers 16 hours and 56 minutes to finally dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara in the on-going Test series. Pujara has already scored 382 runs in three innings and consumed 790 balls in the process.

The Saurashtra right-hander hit 206 (not out) and 41 (not out) at Ahmedabad and was finally dismissed by Graeme Swann after making 135 during the first innings of the second Test at Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday. Comparisons with Rahul Dravid have already started doing the rounds but Pujara thinks it is ‘wrong’.

“It’s a wrong comparison as Rahul Dravid has played a lot of cricket and scored more than 10,000 runs in both the formats. I am just starting my career and don't want to put any extra pressure on myself. I have no long-term plans,” the new Indian `Wall' in the mak ing, said in the post-match press conference on Saturday.

“I perform consistently in the domestic format and am happy to be doing that internationally,” he added.
Pujara was out of the field only during the first session of the first Test when openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir put up a century stand. He was in the middle on the third ball of the second Test, and was eventually the ninth man out. He had to finally leave the field in the 28th over of England innings on Saturday after he took a blow on the ribs at forward-shortleg after Alastair Cook played a full-blooded sweep shot. “I have sourness in my ribs. I should be fine,” said Pujara.

Incidentally Cook has been on the field for the most time among all players. Barring the one and half session at Ahmedabad on day four he has been leading the way for visitors with the bat and fielding close in. Pujara was also fielding close with a helmet on, after his marathon stay at the crease. He had injured his knee while fielding at forward short leg after making 159 against New Zealand in Hyderabad as well.

“He could have shied away from fielding close in after making a double century but he is a good fielder and was there for us,” skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said after the first Test.

After making full use of a flatter and slower deck in Ahmedabad, Pujara who came to the crease on the third ball of the innings, stood firm amid the ruins in Mumbai to take India to a respectable score.