IND vs AUS: Who is Going to be Our Cheteshwar Pujara From Last Time? Questions Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid, who had top-scored for India in the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar series with 619 runs, said India "has got a bowling attack that can take 20 wickets in those conditions."
Former Indian skipper, Rahul Dravid said India need someone to score over 500 runs in the series like Cheteshwar Pujara did the last time around, to have a chance of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. At the same time, he also backed Indian bowlers to take 20 wickets regularly in the upcoming four Tests against Australia.
It was Cheteshwar Pujara who stood like a rock in the middle on the last tour in Australia, scoring 521 runs in the 7 innings he played at an average of 74.42 with three centuries, a fifty and the highest score of 193.
Now in the absence of Virat Kohli in the last three Tests, the visitors will be looking at Pujara once again to repeat his heroics this year as well when they take on Tim Paine’s Australia in the four-match series starting December 17.
“Who is going to be our Pujara from last time? I’m saying (that because) Pujara scored 500-plus runs last time, (so) you (are) going to need one of your batsmen (to repeat that),” Dravid said during the Mutual Funds annual conclave ‘The Winners’ Circle’ organised by L&T Financial Services.
“Either it is going to be Pujara himself – obviously, it can’t be Kohli because he is not going to be there for the whole (tour) – but you are going to need one of your batsmen at least in my opinion over the four-Test matches to get you something like 500 runs.”
We, Will, be Able To Get 20 Wickets Over Five Days: Rahul Dravid
Dravid, who had top-scored for India in the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar series with 619 runs, said India “has got a bowling attack that can take 20 wickets in those conditions.”
“They will be challenging conditions: Australia will try and put out conditions which will support the quality of fast bowlers. So will we be able to match that? I think we will be able to get 20 wickets over five days.
“(But) will we get a batsman who will get 500-plus runs for us in the series (or not) might define it; if we can get that, then we give ourselves a great chance.
“If one of Smith and Warner, who missed the last series, get that then they (Australia) probably will have the edge,” Dravid said.
