Rahul Dravid keeps things simple, he has always been an inspiration for me: Cheteshwar Pujara

Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has opined Rahul Dravid keeps things simple and he has always been an inspiration to him. Pujara has always been compared with Dravid and he has done a decent job in filing the former Indian captain’s shoes while batting at number three.

Pujara wasn’t in the best of forms in the last couple of years and thus he was dropped from India’s Test squad for the two-match home series against Sri Lanka. However, the right-hander found back his mojo while playing for Sussex in County Championship.

Pujara went on to score 720 runs in County Division two in five matches at an average of 120. The right-hander scored four successive centuries and batted at the top of his game. Consequently, he was able to make the cut into the squad for the rescheduled Test match against England.

Recalling his first meeting with Rahul Dravid, Pujara told BCCI: “Rahul Bhai has always been an inspiration for me. When I first met him in 2007, he was leading the India team. He came to Rajkot. That was my first interaction with him as a young kid.

“After that, I have always been in touch, I have learned so many things from him as a cricketer when I was playing with him and even after he retired and coached India A team, he has always been helpful.

“He always keeps simple, he has great ideas about batting, he doesn’t complicate things. It’s always good to learn from him, it’s always good to work with Rahul Bhai. It’s a good environment to be in, even when we played here in 2021, when Ravi (Shastri) Bhai was around, the way the guys played (was fantastic),” he added.

Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid is known to get the best out of his players and he has always motivated players to do well. Pujara has definitely learned a lot after playing under Dravid’s tutelage and he will look to keep improving his game under the Indian head coach.

On the other hand, India had last savored success on English soil when Rahul Dravid led the team to win in the three-match Test series in 2007. Team India will have a chance to replicate the same success as they have a 2-1 lead and they will look to win the rescheduled Test.

“I am sure guys are eager to do the same thing again, if we can win this match and win the series on English soil, it will be one of the best victories India has had,” he added.

The fifth Test match will take place at Edgbaston from July 1.