'I'm not used to playing like Pujara' - Zakir Hasan lauds veteran Indian batter's ability to drain bowlers

Zakir Hasan is one upcoming talent from Bangladesh who has done a brilliant job in the Tests. The wicketkeeper-batter scored a century against India on his debut and followed it up with a half-century in the same series. As Bangladesh will tour India for two Tests in September, Hasan refrained from taking a leaflet out of Test maverick Cheteshwar Pujara’s book, admitting the latter’s job is tough.

Pujara came up as a revelation for India in Tests as the right-handed batter possessed the ability of draining opposition since the onset of his career. Of late, he has been out of the Indian team with youngsters being preferred but he has a plethora of match-saving knocks to his name in the red-ball format. Hasan seemed one fan boy as he described the Indian team’s reliance on the veteran to carry the mileage while batting.

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"Obviously, it can be there. But to me that depends team-wise and the strength of your team, what is your team's strategy overall. What I saw, amongst the India team those who play Tests, their role is completely different. Pujara is the only one who has that ability, and the whole team trusts his ability that he will play for a long time and tire the bowlers,” said Hasan as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"But if you look at our team, we can also adapt to that way too. But if you ask about me, all I can say is that I am not used to playing like Pujara but ultimately if you see me playing a big innings then I need some time so I try to take as much time as I need to build my innings,” he added.

Pujara leading by example after getting signed by Sussex

Pujara last played for India in the World Test Championship 2023 Final against Australia on October 13. He scored 14 in the first innings and 27 in the second. He was signed by Sussex in 2022 and with no place in the Indian side, as he ventured into his county stint. Pujara has played 18 County Championship games scoring 1863 runs at an average of 64.24. He has scored 10 centuries for the club and a total of 65 hundreds in his stellar First Class career.