Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes that veteran Cheteshwar Pujara will still be a fine fit in the Indian Test team. The Saurashtra cricketer has been out of the favour of the selectors and hasn’t played a Test since June 2023. However, he has been taking active part in red-ball cricket, participating in County Championship followed by the Ranji Trophy. Ahead of the IND vs AUS series, Robin Uthappa explained by India need a conventional batter like Pujara in their XI.
Uthappa warrants for Pujara’s inclusion in India’s Test XI
At a virtual media interaction, Robin Uthappa pointed out that KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran were the only two batters in the side who could play conventional cricket. He went on to claim that he doesn’t see anyone else who could take up that responsibility and suggested that India had the space to accommodate Pujara in the XI.
“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 in a virtual media interaction.
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There has been a lot of chatter over Pujara’s return to the Test side, given that the Indian team will be playing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Down Under without the services of the veteran. India are dealing with multiple headaches at this point of time, with both KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran failing in the 2nd unofficial Test against Australia A. The duo are reportedly the frontrunners to replace Rohit Sharma as opener in the Perth Test.
While Pujara certainly can’t open, he can fill in the void in the middle-order that India desperately need. Having aced his role at number three for India, Pujara is no stranger to the red-ball format and is all but another Rahul Dravid. India’s middle-order has struggled in the recent times, with no batter apart from Rishabh Pant managing to make an impact.
