Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has voiced his opinion on the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, suggesting that veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara should be included in the Indian Test team. Uthappa believes that Pujara’s defensive skills and experience are crucial for the team’s success in the challenging tour Down Under
SOURCE : ZEE
Pujara, who has played 103 Test matches for India, was a key player in India’s historic victories in Australia during the 2018-19 and 2020-21 tours. However, he has been sidelined from the national team since the World Test Championship Final in 2023. Uthappa argues that the Indian team needs a player who can play conventional, traditional Test cricket, and Pujara fits that role perfectly.
Source:- bbc news
“We need someone defensive, someone who can play conventional, traditional Test cricket. As of now, KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are the ones who can play that role. Honestly, I still believe there’s space for someone like Pujara in the Test team,” Uthappa said during a virtual media interaction.
Uthappa pointed out that the current Indian batting lineup, brimming with stroke players, lacks a player with an airtight defense. He emphasized that while players like Shubman Gill are natural stroke players, they might not enjoy playing the slow, defensive role required in Test cricke
The upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series is set to begin on November 22, 2024, and will be a five-match Test series. India’s squad for the tour includes Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar. Reserves include Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed.
Uthappa also highlighted the importance of having experienced players like Pujara in the squad, especially given the recent struggles of the Indian team in Test cricket. He believes that Pujara’s inclusion could provide the stability and resilience needed to perform well in Australia.
The former cricketer also spoke about the India A team’s recent tour of Australia, where players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and KL Rahul struggled with the bat. He stressed the need for experienced players who can anchor the innings and provide a solid foundation for the rest of the batting lineup
Uthappa’s recommendation has sparked a debate among cricket fans and experts, with many agreeing that Pujara’s defensive skills could be a valuable asset for the Indian team in the upcoming series. As the countdown to the Border Gavaskar Trophy begins, all eyes will be on the Indian selectors to see if they heed Uthappa’s advice and include Pujara in the final squad
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