New Delhi: The Men in Blue are facing immense scrutiny after their defeat in the Boxing Day Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The Indian batters are struggling to score runs against an experienced Australian pace attack and are on the verge of losing the series.
As per the Indian Express report, Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir wanted Cheteshwar Pujara in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad but the selectors rejected his request. Pujara last played for India in the final of the World Test Championship against Australia at The Oval. He played a crucial role in India’s victory against Australia on the last two tours. Pujara has scored 993 runs at an average of 47.28 in 11 Test matches in Australia.
He was the highest run-scorer for India during the 2018-19 tour, scoring 521 runs in seven innings. He also scored 271 runs in the 2020/21 tour but was remembered for his role during India’s victory in the Gabba Test, where he played 211 deliveries and scored 56 runs to keep his team in the match.
With the Indian top-order struggling to score runs in the ongoing series Pujara might have made a difference. It has been learnt that even after winning the first Test in Perth, Gambhir still wanted Pujara in the team. Opposition bowler Josh Hazlewood also praised Pujara before the start of the series and expressed his pleasure in not facing him again.
“I am happy that Cheteshwar Pujara is not here. He is someone who bats time and spends a lot of time at the crease and makes you earn his wicket every time. Has done well in Australia on previous tours”: Hazlewood said in November.
The experienced Indian batter frustrated Australian bowlers with his defensive approach during the last two tours and The Men in Blue lacked a similar approach in the ongoing series. Team India used three players at No.3, Devdutt Padikkal played at No.3 in the first Test, followed by Shubman Gill and KL Rahul.
India look to level series in Sydney
After losing the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, The Men in Blue are looking to win the fifth and final Test of the series which will start on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). If Rohit and Co. manage to win the last Test, they will keep their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final alive.
Gautam Gambhir reportedly wanted to bring Cheteshwar Pujara back into the Indian Test squad but the selectors rejected the move. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
