Aakash Chopra Doesn’t Believe That Cheteshwar Pujara Will Be Dropped From 1st Test

Jul 16, 2021 at 3:32 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
Aakash Chopra Doesn’t Believe That Cheteshwar Pujara Will Be Dropped From 1st Test

Aakash Chopra has insisted that he does not believe the reports which suggest that Test specialist batsman Cheteshwar Pujara will be dropped from the Indian team for the first Test against England.

Cheteshwar Pujara failed to perform up to expectations in both innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Certain reports have suggested that KL Rahul or Hanuma Vihari is likely to take the dogged batsman’s place in the Indian team for the first Test against England.

Cheteshwar Pujara(Reuters Photo)
Cheteshwar Pujara(Reuters Photo)

Aakash Chopra Doesn’t Believe Rumours That Cheteshwar Pujara Will Be Dropped From 1st Test Against England

Aakash Chopra, the former Indian opener pointed out that Cheteshwar Pujara’s century in India’s last trip to England should help him hold on to his No. 3 Or No. 4 spots in the much-hyped batting line-up while responding to a fan question in a video shared on his Facebook page.

“Reports come but I am not believing that news because the last time India had toured England, Cheteshwar had scored a century. Yes, I know what you are thinking that his average is less than 30 in England and he has toured there two or three times.”

Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Aakash Chopra observed that while Cheteshwar Pujara’s gritty batting has helped Team India’s cause numerous times, it has also earned him brickbats.

“He didn’t score runs recently in the WTC as well. His style of play is very good for him, the team also benefits a lot at times but repeatedly controversy raises its head that you are taking so much time and not moving the game forward.”

Cheteshwar Pujara’s dogged approach certainly helped the Indian team during the Sydney and Brisbane Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, his inability to keep the scoreboard ticking at times allows the opposition to get on top.

He had a dismal outing in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) against New Zealand. He scored eight runs off 54 balls in the first innings and following that with 15 off 80 deliveries in the second innings.

Aakash Chopra Wants Definitely To See Cheteshwar Pujara Playing In The 1st Test

Aakash Chopra, however, wants Team India to persist with Cheteshwar Pujara.

“But I definitely see Cheteshwar Pujara playing in the first Test match. In my opinion, at this point in time, I will not touch him. I will continue with Cheteshwar Pujara,” said Aakash Chopra.

Cheteshwar Pujara Picture Credit- Twitter.
Cheteshwar Pujara Picture Credit- Twitter.

The 43-year-old signed off by expressing hope of Cheteshwar Pujara playing substantial knocks in the Test series against England.

Aakash Chopra elaborated: “I will also expect from Pujara, his average of 29 in England and the same average in the two-year WTC cycle, that’s not what Pujara is made of. He played all the matches, there were some important knocks, but the big runs have not come.”

Cheteshwar Pujara last scored a century in the 2019 Sydney Test against Australia. In the 18 Tests he has played since then, the India No.3 has scored 841 runs at an underwhelming average of 28.03.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s strike rate is bothering him and India. In the last few series starting with the New Zealand tour in 2020, his strike rate was 28.49 (India vs New Zealand 2020), 29.2 (India vs Australia 2020/21), 40.06(India vs England 2021), and 17.16 (WTC Final). His career strike rate is 44.64 and his Test average is 46.08. In 2020, his average was only 20.38, and 30.33 in 2021.

Related Article
Musheer Khan Might Go Ahead Of His Elder Brother Sarfaraz Khan: Aakash Chopra
Musheer Khan Might Go Ahead Of His Elder Brother Sarfaraz Khan: Aakash Chopra

Feb 12, 2024, 11:19 AM


IND vs ENG: If India Batting Starts Playing To Its Potential, You Will See A Huge Gap Between The Two Teams – Aakash Chopra
IND vs ENG: If India Batting Starts Playing To Its Potential, You Will See A Huge Gap Between The Two Teams – Aakash Chopra

Feb 7, 2024, 4:40 PM


IND vs ENG: I Don’t See Any Aggressive Captaincy – Aakash Chopra Questions Bazball Approach In Bowling Changes
IND vs ENG: I Don’t See Any Aggressive Captaincy – Aakash Chopra Questions Bazball Approach In Bowling Changes

Feb 7, 2024, 4:09 PM


IND vs ENG: He Has Proved Himself In Tough Situations In Almost Every Format – Aakash Chopra Hails Yashasvi Jaiswal For His Brilliance Across Formats
IND vs ENG: He Has Proved Himself In Tough Situations In Almost Every Format – Aakash Chopra Hails Yashasvi Jaiswal For His Brilliance Across Formats

Feb 6, 2024, 4:44 PM


IND vs ENG: It Is A Peak Performance From One Of The Greatest Ever Fast Bowlers In The History Of The Game – Aakash Chopra Hails Jasprit Bumrah
IND vs ENG: It Is A Peak Performance From One Of The Greatest Ever Fast Bowlers In The History Of The Game – Aakash Chopra Hails Jasprit Bumrah

Feb 4, 2024, 12:03 PM


IND vs ENG: Injuries Or Illnesses Have Come At The Wrong Time, I Feel Rahu Is Sitting In His Kundali – Aakash Chopra On KL Rahul Missing The 2nd Test
IND vs ENG: Injuries Or Illnesses Have Come At The Wrong Time, I Feel Rahu Is Sitting In His Kundali – Aakash Chopra On KL Rahul Missing The 2nd Test

Jan 30, 2024, 11:35 AM