‘I Would Prefer KL Rahul At No. 3’: Cheteshwar Pujara Picks His Replacement For Perth Test – News18
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India vs Australia: Gill, who is India’s No. 3 batter in Test cricket, is unlikely to feature in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is set to start on November 22 in Perth.
KL Rahul attends a practice session at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Wednesday. (Picture Credit: AFP)
IND vs AUS: Ever since the India squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was announced, a major question that has been on everyone’s mind is: How to win Test matches in Australia without Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Mohammed Shami? The trio played crucial roles in India’s previous couple of tours to Australia, especially Pujara with the bat.
The 2018-19 series will always be remembered for Pujara’s heroics Down Under. Facing over 1200 deliveries in a 4-match Test series is no joke and he did it with conviction. He emerged as the highest scorer of the tour with 521 runs and three centuries, averaging over 74.
Pure class.
India’s last tour of Australia, in 2020-21, was held with the world grappling with coronavirus pandemic. India were tested – mentally and physically. Pujara didn’t score as much he did in the previous tour but made an impact with his stubbornness. He faced 928 deliveries this time, scored 271 runs in four matches. But what stood out was Pujara’s intent and he showed that by taking blows to his body on multiple occasions. The reward was a historic victory in Gabba.
Fast forward to 2024 and Pujara isn’t part of India’s touring party. The selectors and the team management have picked up a mix of experience and youth to take on Pat Cummins & Co. The Australian pace battery has been quite vocal at letting their guests known how relieved they are at not have to bowl to Pujara for sessions after sessions. Josh Hazlewood on Wednesday admitted that the hosts are happy because the 36-year-old India batter, who haunted them in the last two editions of the BGT Down Under, will not be around this time.
“I am happy that Cheteshwar Pujara is not here. He is obviously someone who bats time and spends a lot of time at the crease and makes you earn his wicket every time. Has done really well in Australia on previous tours,” Hazlewood told the press in Perth.
If Not Pujara Then Who?
Pujara has been away from India’s Test set-up since they lost the World Test Championship (WTC) final to Australia in London, last year. The management has tried nurturing Shubman Gill to fill that void but doubt looms over his participation in Perth after the young batter fractured his left thumb while fielding in the slips in India’s second intra-squad game at WACA, Perth.
On Star Sports’ show Press Room, News18 CricketNext asked Pujara about his choice of No. 3 batter for India in Perth if Gill fails to make it. The veteran batter said KL Rahul would’ve been the perfect choice to go with.
“I don’t know the batting order, but I would prefer KL Rahul at No. 3. He has the experience to handle the pressure,” Pujara told this publication.
He further cited the reports of Devdutt Padikkal making it to India’s playing XI in the Perth Test, stating that the team management could be looking to field a left-hander at no.3 and that’s why Rahul could very well open.
“I’ve heard that Padikkal might be at No. 3 due to the left-hand, right-hand combination. But I think, it will be easier for KL to bat first-down,” Pujara concluded.
Pujara, a seasoned campaigner with 103 Test matches to his name, boasts an impressive record on Australian soil. Across 11 matches, he has amassed 993 runs at a solid average of 47.28. His standout performance came during India’s landmark 2018-19 tour of Australia, where he was crowned Player of the Series. In Australia, his contributions include three centuries and five half-centuries, underscoring his consistency and resilience.
