The decision to drop Cheteshwar Pujara from the Test squad has drawn criticism from former India player WV Raman, who believes that a match-winner like Pujara should not be overlooked by the selectors. Pujara’s exclusion has sparked a debate among former cricketers as well.
While Pujara’s performance in the World Test Championship Final against Australia was deemed underwhelming, Raman disagrees with the decision to drop him from the Test squad for the West Indies tour. Despite a relatively quiet outing in the final, Pujara had showcased good form with Sussex in County cricket leading up to the match. However, his scores of 14 and 27 in the final did not make a significant impact.
Raman, joining the chorus of former stars, expressed his dissatisfaction with the selection committee’s decision. He highlighted the fact that India included four opening batsmen in the squad while leaving out Pujara, who has been a pivotal figure in India’s triumphs both at home and abroad.
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Acknowledging Pujara’s immense contributions to Indian cricket, Raman emphasized that the seasoned batsman has played a crucial role in numerous victories for the team. He also mentioned that Pujara was recently appointed as the vice-captain of the Test team, making his exclusion after the World Test Championship Final failure even more surprising. Raman, along with many others who share the same sentiment, voiced his disagreement with the decision.
Pujara boasts an impressive record in Test cricket, having played 103 matches and accumulated 7195 runs at an average of 43.61. He played a pivotal role in India’s historic back-to-back Test series victories against Australia on their home soil, showcasing his resilience and skill.
The omission of a seasoned campaigner like Cheteshwar Pujara from the Test squad has sparked a debate about the selection process, with many questioning the rationale behind dropping a player of his caliber and track record.
