Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif reckons youngsters can learn a lot from Cheteshwar Pujara. The right-hander was dropped from India’s Test squad for the two-match home series against Sri Lanka after his inconsistent performances in the last two years.
However, Pujara went back to Ranji Trophy and scored consistently for Saurashtra to get back his form as he scored 191 runs in three matches. Pujara also found back his mojo while playing for Sussex in County Championship.
The veteran 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.
Kaif believes there is a big lesson for players who get dropped and this is the way to make a comeback to the national team. Pujara was able to turn the tables in the domestic circuit and County championship to get his confidence back.
“You can learn so much from Pujara. If you get dropped, what do you have to do as a batter? You go back to the county, you go back to Ranji and you score runs and runs and I mean, score tons and tons of runs. He has done that,” Kaif told NDTV during a media interaction.
“He’s an example for any young player who has been dropped and how to make a comeback. Probably, you should go back to Pujara and see what he has done in the last couple of months. He has been a fantastic player for India also. And I think he’ll play No. 3 for India,” said Kaif.
Cheteshwar Pujara will look to continue the good form in the rescheduled Test match against England and he is going to hold the key for the visitors. Pujara doesn’t have a great record while playing in England as he has scored 732 runs in 14 Test matches at an average of 28.84. However, he would be confident after his impressive show in County Cricket while playing in the same conditions.
The rescheduled Test match will be played at Edgbaston from July 1.
