With India and Australia gearing up for the second Test, India head coach Rahul Dravid kept his cards close to his chest on whether Iyer is ready to take the rigours of the longest forma. Dravid though made an important point about team management's philosophy, stating that any performing player who comes back after injury, will automatically get his place back.
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Here's what Rahul Dravid said:
On Pujara's 100th Test: "When you play 100 games, it's not possible that you haven't seen ups and downs. You need to clear obstacles and bear the pain when you are down and play different kinds of bowling, various questions are asked on and off the field. To play 100 Tests, you need a minimum of 10 years and he has played for 13-14 years. It is a tribute to his skill which is there but so many other things are also there."
On counterattacking cricket: Sometimes on tricky wickets, in different conditions, you need to play slightly differently. You have to strike a fine balance between defence and being able to put the attack back on the opposition bowlers. Sometimes on wickets like these, if you sit back and are not able to put that pressure back, it can build up to a point where you can lose two to three quick wickets. Ability to put pressure back on bowlers made the difference and that’s what Rohit did.