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Pujara has shown he is a complete Test batsman: Gavaskar
Cheteshwar Pujara received a huge compliment from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who said the youngster is a complete Test batsman whose temperament is the hallmark of his batting.
The 24-year-old again batted splendidly, scoring an unbeaten 114, as India wriggled out of a tight situation to end Day 1 in the second Test on a respectable 266 for 6, after being reduced to 119 for 5 at one stage.
"He's a terrific player. He has shown that he is a complete Test batsman. After the Ahmedabad Test he has shown his mettle and he'll be able to do it in abroad as well," Gavaskar told NDTV.
"The way he built up his innings shows that his temperament is terrific; and it is temperament which separates men from boys," he added.
'It's difficult wicket to bat'
Batting at the crucial No 3 slot, Pujara was unbeaten in the first Test as well, scoring a double hundred and 41 in India's nine-wicket win.
India's top order struggled on Friday on a turning track, prompting Gavaskar to say it is a bit worrisome but there is no need to panic.
"If in two Test matches it happens you start to think what's going wrong. It's not as if they have failed. Look, (Virender) Sehwag is coming into this match with a hundred. It's difficult wicket to bat, there was a lot of spin which is expected in Mumbai. "When acknowledged batsmen do not get runs, you worry a bit for sure," he said.
'It's just the kind of wicket Harbhajan needed'
Gavaskar also backed India's decision to play three spinners despite saying earlier that team will go into the match with a combination of two seamers and two spinners.
"I think they (India) are playing mind games with England. You saw Ishant Sharma marking his run up in the morning which suggested that India will play with two seamers and two spinners. But at the toss you find Harbhajan Singh is playing.
"It's just the kind of wicket Harbhajan needed. With Ashwin and Harbhajan there nobody (England batsman) is going to relax. It will benefit the Indian team," Gavaskar said.
It's after a long time that India are fielding three frontline spinners in the side and Gavaskar said earlier Indian pitches did not have much for the fast bowlers, so spinners came into attack early.