Cheteshwar Pujara seems to be in great form after being dropped from India’s Test team and continues to strengthen his claim of return. After a mixed performance in the Ranji Trophy, Pujara is playing county cricket in England and here he is getting runs with his bat. There is a constant emphasis on bringing back Pujara, who has scored four centuries in four matches, in the Indian team. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has said that Pujara should get a chance in the Indian team. It hasn’t been long since he was out of the team. Along with this, he also said that there is a difference between the bowlers of a county team and a Test team.
Pujara is playing for Sussex County in the current season and has been scoring runs consistently. In this county season, Pujara has scored 717 runs in seven innings of four matches including two double centuries and two centuries. During this his average was 143.40.
After scoring an unbeaten 201 against Derbyshire in the first match, he scored 109 against Yorkshire and 203 against Durham. After this he also scored a century against Middlesex. In the first innings of this match, he scored 16 runs in 10 balls, but in the second innings he scored a brilliant century.
Before the series against Sri Lanka, legends like Pujara and Rahane were dropped from the team. Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer were given the opportunity in their place. During this period both the players were playing home matches. Rahane has been struggling with poor form in the IPL as well, but Pujara has returned to the rhythm. India has to play a Test match against England in July. For this match, Pujara can be given a chance again in the Indian team.
Sunil Gavaskar has said that Cheteshwar Pujara should be given a chance again in the Indian team. On his return, Gavaskar told a private channel, “Absolutely, it should be kept in mind. Last year we saw New Zealand play two Test matches in England before the final of the Test Championship. They got used to the conditions and the final. They played better than India when they got those conditions. That’s what is happening with Pujara. He has got used to the conditions in England, playing against their bowlers. Yes, county bowlers and Test team bowlers there is a difference in the level , but when a batsman is in rhythm why not take advantage of it and get him in the team.
Gavaskar further said, “It is not that he is returning to the Test team after two or three years. It is a matter of six or seven months. Till September he was in the team, he also played against New Zealand and South Africa. He was a part of the team till January so definitely he should be picked up. His ability to tire the bowler and stand on one edge will require a lot and we have seen that his strike rate in county cricket has been excellent. “