Cheteshwar Pujara a big score away from regaining confidence says Dravid

Chennai, July 20. India A and U-19 teams coach Rahul Dravid has said it is just a matter of time before out-of-form Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara gets back into his run scoring ways, insisting he is just a big innings away from regaining his confidence.

Pujara, India's usual No.3 Test batsman, has endured a prolonged batting slump that saw him lose his position in the team. Pujara is currently the captain of the India A team. India A are scheduled to play two four-day matches, slated between July 22 and 25 and from July 29 to August 1 in Chennai against the visiting Australia A side.

"A player like Pujara will find the way, he has got the desire, the hunger, he is looking to get better, he has got the technique, and he is keen to improve. It is just matter of time that he comes back and get a chance to play in the eleven and one or two scores will change things for him," Dravid was quoted as saying by bcci.tv on Sunday.

Pujara has ben a sound run scorer since he began playing first class cricket in 2005. However, during India's England and Australia tours last year, Pujara went through a low scoring phase, failing to score a century in eight Tests. During that period, he managed to cross the 50-run mark only twice.

The Rajkot-born then went to England to play for county side Yorkshire to find his lost rhythm.

"Good to have county experience. I myself had a small stint with Kent. Pujara might not have played the entire season but the experience he gathered playing in different conditions, different dressing rooms, and different set of players will help," Dravid said.

"Pujara is fine, he is a class, quality player. He had a good start to his international career. There were a few series which didn’t go the way he wanted. And it is natural, to all cricketers at some stage it happens.

"I don’t think there is too much wrong in him technically. We had a few conversations with him even before coming here. We will try to look at his mind set where he is at," the 42-year-old batting legend said.

Speaking on India A facing the visiting Australia A side, he said: "It’s about creating a good environment. It is about giving the boys the right opportunity to show their skills. There are important matches coming up. Selectors are watching these boys as they have performed well in domestic cricket. And this is seen as a stepping stone to international cricket."

 (IANS)