Ganguly hails Pujara, says he's as important as Virat in Tests

Virat Kohli may be the most valuable Indian cricketer at the moment but former India captain Sourav Ganguly today said Cheteshwar Pujara is also equally good and is someone who goes "unnoticed".

"Along with Virat Kohli in this team Pujara's record is as good as anybody. He's from that old school of cricket where he will grind you, and win you matches but he goes unnoticed," Ganguly said, heaping praise on the Test specialist.

Ganguly was addressing a gathering during the Kolkata book launch of his memoir 'A Century Is Not Enough' which was attended by Pujara.

"The best team had the best number three. When India played at its best the best number three was (Rahul) Dravid. When India played at its best away, it's Pujara at number three," Ganguly said.

"They actually take the shine off the new ball, allow the stroke makers to make batting easier. He (Pujara) is as important to this Test team as Virat Kohli. But sometimes he goes unnoticed. Look at his Test records, after 57 Tests, he has 14 hundreds."
"Once you assess the conditions, you know what the bowlers are up to and you are in a different zone. I don't need to worry about playing shots it comes naturally."
"To get myself better in one-dayers and T20s, I also started playing lofted shots. Before five-six years, I never used to play any lofted shots. I've been working in that in the nets, when it comes off they (teammates) are very happy about it."
"This book would never happened if it was not for the 2001 Test and the Pakistan series (2003-04)."