Team India head coach Rahul Dravid praised veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara in advance of his 100th Test match, which will begin on February 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Rahul Dravid referred to playing 100 Tests as a “huge accomplishment” and noted that Pujara has been phenomenal in terms of his resilience and physical endurance.
Notably, the batsman has amassed 7021 runs in 99 Tests to far. He was dismissed very early in the first Test against the Pat Cummins-led team in Nagpur, but he hopes to make a strong comeback in his 100th Test. In the meantime, prior to the second Test, Rahul Dravid discussed the challenges of playing Test cricket for so long and how Pujara has overcome all obstacles to achieve greatness for his country.
“It’s a major accomplishment. Talent is required to reach this level. However, there are numerous additional things. Playing 100 Tests demonstrates your lifespan. There are several factors involved, including your physical health, resilience, and capacity to handle success and disappointment. When you play 100 Tests, you cannot avoid experiencing ups and downs “Rahul Dravid informed the media.
“You must endure the ups and downs. On and off the field, you’ll be asked a variety of questions. At least ten years are required to play 100 Tests. What Pujara has accomplished over the past 13 or 14 years is significant. It is a testament to his skill, but also to so many other factors,” he continued.
Everyone is thrilled to see Rahul Dravid play 100 Tests:
Rahul Dravid remarked that the cricketer from Rajkot is highly well-liked in the dressing room, thus everyone is thrilled to see Pujara play 100 Tests. The 50-year-old said that he hopes the player does well not only in the second Test against Australia, but also in all future contests.
“He is a very well-liked member of the team, so everyone is forward to watch him play 100 Tests. Hopefully, not only in this Test match, but also in future ones, he continues to perform exceptionally well. In the past decade, he has played several crucial knocks that have helped the country win matches and series. During the past 13 to 14 years, he has been a crucial member of the team. We are delighted to celebrate this occasion with him,”Rahul Dravid said.