Michael Clarke praises Pujara, compares him with Rahul Dravid

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke heaped praise on India’s new hero Cheteshwar Pujara for his marathon double hundred in the Ranchi Test. Appreciating Pujara’s importance at the vital number three spot, Clarke went on to compare the Saurashtra batsman with the legendary Rahul Dravid.

Pujara batted for 668 minutes in India’s first innings and faced a record 525 deliveries, the most by an Indian in Tests and by any player in India. He also had a crucial 199 runs partnership with Wriddhiman Saha that helped the Indian team take a 152-run lead in the series.

“Cheteshwar Pujara has a lot of similarities to Rahul Dravid, ‘The Wall’. Had it not been for his double hundred, India would have lost the Ranchi Test. He is definitely India’s wall. He builds the innings and others play around him”, Clarke told India Today.

He further spoke about Australia’s impressive bounce back on the fifth day at Ranchi, highlighting Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb’s characteristic batting.

“(These are) great signs for this young Australian team. They will take a lot of confidence from this draw into the next Test match. We saw the other side of the coin today. The wicket was very good to bat on and once you got in, it was difficult to be dismissed. Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh batted exceptionally well.” Clarke added.

During his 202 runs knock Pujara faced a total of 525 deliveries. The 29-year old went past Dravid’s knock of 270 from 495 balls in the 2004 Rawalpindi Test. In response to Australia’s strong 451 in the first-innings, Pujara’s heroic efforts helped India post 603/9 decl. The right-hander built significant partnerships with Murali Vijay and Saha to swell the hosts’ total.

Pujara made his debut against the same opponents, Australia in the 2010 Bangalore Test. He was promoted above Dravid in India’s second innings and chipped in with an 89-ball 72 to help India chase down a tricky target.

Australia’s gritty display on the final day made sure that the competition is still alive and fierce for the concluding and series-deciding Test at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.