Team India head coach Rahul Dravid praised veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara before of his 100th Test match, which will begin on February 17 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Dravid described it as a “huge accomplishment,” saying that playing 100 Tests reflects his longevity, and Pujara has been phenomenal in terms of perseverance and fitness.
Importantly, the top-order hitter has already amassed 7021 runs in 99 Tests. He was removed early in the first Test against the Pat Cummins-led team in Nagpur, but he will be looking to make a strong recovery in his 100th Test. However, ahead of the second Test, Dravid spoke on the difficulty of playing Test cricket for so long, as well as how Pujara has surmounted adversity to accomplish great things for the country.
“It’s a significant accomplishment. To get to this level, you must have skills. Yet there are other factors. Playing 100 Tests reflects your lifespan. It includes your fitness, resilience, and capacity to manage success and loss. When you play 100 Tests, you are certain to have ups and downs “Dravid spoke to the press.
“You must persevere through the ups and downs. On and off the field, you are asked a variety of questions. To play 100 Tests, you need at least ten years. What Pujara has accomplished in the previous 13-14 years is significant. It’s a testament to his talent, certainly, but also to so many other things,” he continued.
Dravid remarked that the Rajkot-born cricketer is well-liked in the dressing room and that everyone is thrilled to watch Pujara play 100 Test matches. The 50-year-old said that he hopes the player does well not just in the second Test against Australia but in all future contests.
“He is a highly popular player on the squad, so everyone is pleased to see him play 100 Tests. Hopefully, not just in this Test match, but in future ones as well, he continues to play well. He has played several crucial knocks for the nation in the recent decade, helping them win matches and series. During the previous 13-14 years, he has been a vital member of the squad. “We are delighted to share this occasion with him,” Dravid said.
