Cheteshwar Pujara, the Indian batter, played pivotal roles in India’s last two historic series wins in Australia. During the 2018-19 tour, Pujara dominated the Aussie bowlers, scoring 521 runs and earning the Player of the Series award. In the subsequent 2020-21 tour, though his overall run tally was lower (271 runs), Pujara’s gritty performances in Sydney and Brisbane proved instrumental in India’s victory.
Despite his past heroics, the veteran batter may not find a place in India’s squad when they head to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in November 2024. Pujara has fallen down the pecking order in Tests, with the Indian team now favoring younger talents.
Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes that India’s Test squad will not feel Pujara’s absence, given the emergence of young players who have already showcased their potential. Watson highlighted the ability of rising stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal to score quickly and dominate the opposition.
During an interview, Shane Watson said that the good thing about Cheteshwar Pujara is that he doesn’t make mistakes but the young batters such as Yashasvi Jaiswal have also scored runs, that too in a fast manner without making mistakes and without giving the opposition any chance to dismiss them.
Watson emphasised that these aggressive young batters can maintain the same impact as Pujara by capitalising on scoring opportunities and putting pressure on Australia’s bowlers.
With Pujara’s exclusion from the Test squad, Shubman Gill has taken up the crucial number three position. Gill made his Test debut during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar series where he impressed with two half-centuries, including an important innings of 91 runs at the Gabba. However, Gill’s overall performance in overseas Tests remains a work in progress. In four Tests away from home batting at number three, he has managed only 119 runs, which pales in comparison to Pujara’s success in Australia.
Pujara’s impressive numbers in Australia cannot be overlooked. He has amassed 972 runs in Australia at an average of over 50, with three centuries against the Aussies. As a number three batter, Pujara has scored 2,999 runs at an average of 38.44 in overseas Tests, including eight centuries. His resilience and ability to anchor the innings in tough conditions have made him a standout in India’s previous campaigns.
As India prepares for the upcoming series, the team will be relying on younger talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal to step up and fill the void left by Cheteshwar Pujara’s absence.
