India vs Australia: Michael Clarke heaps praises for Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant


India vs Australia: Michael Clarke heaps praises for Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant
Michael Clarke (left) and Cheteshwar Pujara-Rishabh Pant (right).

Sealing the historic win by three wickets in Brisbane, India have retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India pulled off the fourth Test match in Brisbane and broke Australia’s 32-year-old winning record at the Gabba.

As Team India’s journey was ridden by Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant, the trio has hogged the limelight after the emphatic win.

Hailing India’s performance, Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke appreciated Cheteshwar Pujara. Clarke said, “Well, he is Rahul Dravid all over again. Isn’t he? Well, I was lucky enough to play against the Great Wall. Very similar parts to Pujara’s game. He is very tough, he doesn’t give it away. He has copped criticism, people were saying Cummins had his measure but they just couldn’t get him out. He copped everything but he didn’t change his natural game. That’s why he deserves so much credit.”

Pujara scored 271 runs and faced 928 balls in the Test series against Australia.

“Again, that’s why he bats an important position. You know players don’t take him for granted. They love him being in the group. They know how important he is. In a cricketing world where everyone wants fours and sixes, there is still a role for a player like Pujara. He played a huge role in not only India winning the Gabba Test but once again India having success in these conditions,” Michale Clarke told on Sports Today.

Clarke even acknowledged the star player who played the match-winning shot and returned 89 not out in Brisbane. Pant had earlier played a quality 97-run knock in the third Test in Sydney that concluded in a draw.

Speaking of Pant, Clarke said, “I have seen more of Rishabh Pant through commentating in the IPL. I always thought he is a superstar. I think probably India went a little bit safer in the first Test match, by picking their best keeper.”

“But again, someone like Rishabh Pant, he has got to be playing. It’s worth a risk, yes, he might drop a couple of catches but he is going to win games for that team. He has got MS Dhoni in him in his batting style or Adam Gilchrist in his batting style. Absolute superstar!” Clarke said.

Also read: India vs Australia: Assessing top Indian performers in the Border-Gavaskar 2020-21 series