Cheteshwar Pujara can be easily called the second ‘Wall’ or Rahul Dravid of India at No 3 in Test cricket. He has been quite consistent at No 3 and has been on a roll since making his comeback in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka in 2015. Indian skipper Virat Kohli has asserted that Pujara is easily the best Test batsman of their squad. That’s a big compliment coming from the Indian skipper. Hence, comparisons between Pujara and the former ‘Wall’ Rahul Dravid is inevitable. Dravid has been rock solid for India at the No 3 spot in Tests for many years. And Pujara is said to be replacing Dravid as the next ‘Wall’ of India.

Batting average at No 3: Both have played majority of their Tests at No 3. Dravid averages 52.88 at No 3 in 134 Tests for India. Pujara averages 53.92 in 44 Tests for India at No 3. Their career averages are almost similar. Pujara averages 52.33 in 50 Tests, while Dravid averages 52.31 in 164 Tests.Pujara beats Dravid in first innings average: Pujara has been more successful in first innings for India. He averages 71.30 in 25 first innings. Dravid averages 57.23 in 75 first innings.Dravid beats Pujara in fourth innings average: A player’s skill and temperament is most tested in the fourth innings of a match. Dravid averages an impressive 40.38 with 1 ton and 9 fifties in 57 fourth innings. Pujara averages 36.41 in 15 fourth innings with two fifties.Both fare well in won matches: Both Pujara and Dravid’s success with the bat is directly proportional to the team’s chances in the match. Pujara averages 64.81 in 50 innings in won Tests, while Dravid averages 65.78 in 92 innings in won Tests for India.Dravid excelled in all spots: Dravid has batted from 1 to 7 in Tests, and averages above 45 in five of those spots. But he has scored the most runs at No 3. Pujara, on the other hand, has played from 1 to 6 spots, but averages above 50 in only two of the spots. His best has been at No 3 for India.