I shouldn't be compared with Dravid but I will try and fulfill people’s expectations to the best of my abilities: Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara, who is tipped to bat at No 3 in the upcoming series against New Zealand, tells Taus Rizvi of DNAA that he will try and live up to expectations. Speaking to DNA, Pujara said that it felt good to be in the side after a long injury break. “It feels good. I’ve worked really hard for this. Now that I have got my chance, I want to bat the way I did on my debut against Australia. I was also part of the squad to South Africa. I didn’t get too many runs there, but it was a great learning experience. I got a feel of Test cricket in 2010 and I want to use that confidence and start all over again. Unfortunately, I was out for six months but then injuries happen. The good thing is that I am fit now. I did well for India ‘A’ in the West Indies,” said Pujara, adding that Windies tour was important for him.

“The wickets were up and down. The ball jumped from a good-length spot and it was difficult for the batsmen to adjust. But I never let the conditions affect me. I backed myself and played my natural game. I knew a good tour would help me get back into the Test side,” said Pujara.

On his comparison with Rahul Dravid, Pujara said that there shouldn’t be a comparison. “Rahul Dravid scored more than 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs. And I have just started off. But I respect the faith people have in me. I have got something in me and maybe that’s why they refer to me as the next Rahul Dravid. I will try and fulfill their expectations to the best of my abilities. Dravid is irreplaceable. I have learnt a lot from him. I just want to focus on my game now.”

Meanwhile Talented Mumbai under-16 cricketer Sarfaraz Khan was on Monday asked to leave the indoor batting academy of the Cricket Board on grounds of indiscipline, it was learned on Tuesday, says a report in The Times Of India.

The BCCI-selected boys train at the indoor academy that is situated inside the Bandra Kurla Complex facility of the Mumbai Cricket Association where the players train on nine tracks offering variable bounce, pace and turn.

The MCA Academy boys also train at the same place and the timings of the stints are adjusted so that all of them get a chance to play on all the wickets.

Academy manager Anil Joshi refused to confirm the development saying he is bound by the BCCI's confidential clause.