Indian selectors recently announced the Indian squad which is to tour the West Indies. The four wise men of Indian cricket announced the Indian team for the 2 match test series. Rohit Sharma was named the captain along with Ajinkya Rahane as the vice captain. One name that missed the selection boat was that of number 3 batter, Cheteshwar Pujara. The 35 year old from Saurashtra was axed after his below par scores in recent times. It is believed that Yashasvi Jaiswal will make his test debut and take the number 3 spot for India.
Pujara’s first response –
Cheteshwar Pujara is currently in India and getting set to play the Duleep Trophy for West Zone. The 35 year old, Indian test number 3 batter took to Twitter and posted a picture of himself batting. It was picture perfect Pujara, as he left one ball while defending the next two. The final part of the clip showed the 35 year old execute a perfect leg glance which would have rolled through for a four.
Dropped for the 2nd time in two years –
This isn’t the 1st time Indian selectors have dropped the man from Saurashtra. Post a below par series in South Africa in early 2022, Pujara was dropped for the home series against Sri Lanka.
Hanuma Vihari was drafted into the side and took the number 3 spot of Pujara, but the man from Andhra couldn’t nail down his place in the team. Pujara, then came back into the team for the sole test versus England on the back of some tall scores for Sussex.
🏏 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TubsOu3Fah
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) June 24, 2023
Sunil Gavaskar slams the Indian selectors
Former Indian opener and batting legend, Sunil Gavaskar, though saw red after Pujara was axed. The 73 year old said “Why was he dropped, and why was he the scapegoat for our batting woes? He has been a devoted worker for Indian cricket. A trustworthy, discreet employee. A devoted and successful achiever. However, you drop him because he lacks the millions of platform followers who would protest if he were to be dropped”
Pujara’s father backs his son to make a comeback –
Arvind Pujara, has been a huge force behind the journey of Cheteshwar Pujara as a cricketer. The man from Saurashtra has come out and reposed faith in his son to make a return to the Indian side in the near future. Speaking to Indian Express, Pujara Sr said “He is mentally very strong. Regarding selection, I can’t comment. However, based on what I have observed, he is batting at his peak. After the WI team announcement, he was actually hard at work in the nets that day. He has begun preparing for the Duleep Trophy and will keep competing on the county circuit. I see no reason why he can’t recover as a father and coach”