The architect of India’s last two Test series victories in Australia, Cheteshwar Pujara thinks Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma should make just one change in Brisbane. Coming from a massive 295-run victory in Perth, Team India were humbled by the hosts in Adelaide. A 10-wicket thrashing would be a wake up call for the whole team and management.
Washington Sundar in for Ashwin
Naturally, there were a few chinks in the armor. The two experienced pros, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma didn’t perform with the bat. Considering most of India’s batters hadn’t played a Pink Ball Test, one expected more from them. But Pujara isn’t calling for their dropping. He instead feels the batting should be further bolstered. That’s why he thinks Ravichandran Ashwin will be replaced by Washington Sundar.
Ashwin bowled well in Adelaide, and if not for the Travis Head drop by Mohammed Siraj, things might have been different. But, it’s not about bowling. He thinks our batting needs to be strengthened. “I feel only one change might happen. Since the batting wasn’t good, Washington Sundar can come in place of Ashwin,” Pujara said on Star Sports.
Latest on BGT 2024-25
Cannot drop Harshit Rana because one match went bad: Pujara
The former Indian number three doesn’t think Harshit Rana will be dropped either. After his failure to back up his constant sledging with wickets, many felt the inexperienced pacer should be replaced by either Prasidh Krishna or Akash Deep. However, Pujara feels you can’t drop him after one bad game. One can’t forget he did well in Perth and can again prove to be an x-factor at the Gabba.
“Should someone come in place of Harshit Rana? In my opinion, no. You backed him, and he performed well in the first match. He is a good bowler. You cannot drop him just because one match went bad. Probably the only change for me would be Sundar for Ashwin if the team feels the batting lineup needs strengthening,” Pujara added.
Pujara’s India Playing XI for 3rd Australia Test
1. KL Rahul
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. Rishabh Pant (wk)
6. Rohit Sharma (c)
7. Nitish Kumar Reddy
8. Washington Sundar
9. Jasprit Bumrah
10. Harshit Rana
11. Mohammed Siraj
