India head coach Rahul Dravid has backed senior top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara for doing well in the second Test at the Wanderers, saying the Rajkot batsman has achieved a lot over the years of playing Test cricket. Pujara, going through a lean period, was dismissed for a golden duck during India’s first innings in the first Test at Centurion. In the second innings, he scored only 16 runs off 64 balls and fell twice at the hands of Lungi Ngidi.
India vs South Africa: full coverage , photos , the schedule , result
“I hate using the word ‘belonging.’ He has achieved a lot in the ten years he has played cricket. He knows the height he has achieved and what kind of success, performance or runs he has scored in the past. Dravid in a virtual press conference on the eve of the second test Said he would like to repeat it over and over again.
“Sometimes it doesn’t happen but it’s not about being worried, it’s about the position he bats at which is a bit tough in these conditions. When you’re set, your top three or four big scores are good to convert. If it does, it sets you up very well as a team. It would be great if Pujara does that because we know that when he does, India win those games a lot of times or put themselves in a really good position,” said Dravid, who has led India in the past. Was captained.
Read also: EXCLUSIVE | Mohammed Shami is a fast bowler who has all the elements as he should be: WV Raman
Talking about the pitch at Wanderers, Dravid said that it can change in its own distinctive fashion. “The pitch is looking good. It’s like a normal Wanderers wicket, there can be something for the bowlers in it, which usually happens. There can be little outs and it can be difficult to bat at the end. A good practice in the afternoon The session meant an opportunity to assess the conditions and see how they are. But, usually there is a resultant wicket at the Wanderers, so both the teams will have to play well as both can take 20 wickets if the weather is good. able to take.”
Apart from drawing thrice against South Africa, India have a stellar record at the Wanderers by winning two Tests in 2006 and 2018. When asked about the reasons for India’s good record at the venue, Dravid could not give any reason behind it.
“Ever since I played here, we have done well,” he said. For some reason, the boys have always enjoyed playing at the Wanderers. It’s a fast pitch, but the bounce may not be as high as in the first Centurion. But it’s weird, it’s one of those things, I just can’t point a finger at exactly what’s causing it. This city may be off the ground, for some reason we’ve always done well there and it’s hard to figure out why, but I really hope we continue to do so.”
But what caught Dravid’s attention was the challenging and result-oriented nature of the match at Wanderers. “It’s a challenging wicket. When you go to a game at Wanderers, one thing you know is that generally if the weather lasts longer than five days, you expect a result there. It’s one of the exciting aspects of being in competitions as we’ve done there, is that you know there will be a result and hopefully the result will work for you and for that, you need to play well. ,
The 48-year-old signed off saying that the team is guarding against complacency in the next match, when India win the first match of a series. “It would mean a lot to a group of people to be able to win a Test match here,” he said. However, we are really mindful of the fact that we are 1-0 up and were in these conditions before and there is no guarantee that we will win this Test series.”
“We have to work really hard over the next five days and play some really good cricket. I hope South Africa return as they usually do. We have to play really well. We have the capability, confidence and team to do it, but we need to hone the skills in the next five days.”
get all IPL news and cricket score Here
,