India's Cheteshwar Pujara drives against Sri Lanka in the Kolkata Test last November. Pic/AFP

Cheteshwar Pujara's press conferences are much like his batting — strong, solid, consistent and dependable, but rarely exciting. While he is a vital cog in India's batting line-up, Pujara is the kind of player who prefers to let his bat and time at the crease do the talking. At Newlands, a venue that Pujara loves, he was much the same yesterday, understated and watchful. "It is one of the most scenic grounds after Dharamsala. I have always enjoyed playing in South Africa. Somehow, I like playing on such wickets," said Pujara, who is on his third tour of the country.