Cheteshwar Pujara is the last of a breed as coaches no longer teach kids to bat that way: Rahul Dravid

Temperament, resilience and batting technique– Cheteshwar Pujara has it all to be considered as a vital cog of the Indian Test side. The current No.3 of India is known for gritty approach under pressure situation. Pujara, who took over the No.3 responsibility from Rahul Dravid, has been compared many a time to the Indian legend.

Both Pujara and Dravid are quite similar in terms of their batting approach and technique. However, the art of implementing such batting approach is on the verge of extinction. Rahul Dravid, while opining on Pujara’s batting, said that he is the last of a breed of such batsmen as coaches no longer teach kids to bat that way.

“There will always be a place for a person like Pujara because his technique will always contribute to the winning of a game,” Dravid told ESPNcricinfo’s videocast.

“He’s the last of a breed. You’re not going to see too many players like that coming through because they’re not going to be taught that way. I don’t think any coach or parent is going to teach someone from the age of 8-10 like the way Pujara’s father taught him… value your wicket, hit it in the V. I don’t think they’re teaching them like that anymore. He’s the last of a generation,” added Dravid.

According to Dravid, Pujara imbibed his temperament by competing against batsmen from bigger cities. Pujara, who hails from Saurashtra, has played a vital role in the side’s success in Ranji Trophy.

“Coming from a place like Saurashtra it was drilled into his head early on that he needed to do much more than other players from bigger cities. Saurashtra has done really well in the last four-five years but before that, they wouldn’t play too many Ranji Trophy semifinals. So he had to make every inning count and that’s the way he has built his batting,” said Dravid.

Pujara is exceptional against spin: Rahul Dravid

Talking about Pujara’s defensive technique, Dravid opined that the right-hander is exceptional against spin. Dravid also heaped praise on the way how Pujara rotates the strike and uses his feet. Dravid reminisced Pujara’s on-field encounter against Nathan Lyon where the right-hander stepped out nearly every single ball.

“He has got a good technique and a range of shots and he knows that. He knows what he’s strong at,” explained Dravid.

“He is exceptional against spin. He can start slow but once a spinner comes on he’s better than many other guys and even me, and I don’t mean hitting sixes. Just the way he rotates strike and how he uses his feet… I remember he drove Nathan Lyon nuts by stepping out nearly every single ball. And this a world-class bowler we are talking about. Pujara made it so easy and I haven’t seen a lot of people do that,” Dravid, who donned the national jersey in 164 Tests, 344 ODIs and one T20I, said.