Salman Butt, former Pakistan-tainted captain feels India could replace Cheteshwar Pujara with Suryakumar Yadav in the upcoming Tests against England if the former’s poor run continues.
Salman Butt, however, warned that it wouldn’t be an easy task for any newcomer coming in Cheteshwar Pujara’s place considering England’s bowling attack and the challenging conditions.
Salman Butt: Cheteshwar Pujara Should Be Given Another Test For He Is Dependable And Has The Ability To Perform Well In England’s Tough Conditions
Before his failure in the first innings at Lord’s, Cheteshwar Pujara registered scores of 8 and 15 in the World Test Championship (WTC) final and 4 and 12 not out in the first Test against England in Nottingham. The 33-year-old has struggled with his foot movement, constantly edging balls behind the wicket.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt said that while Cheteshwar Pujara’s form is a concern, replacing him might not solve India’s woes.
He explained: “Pujara is struggling. The conditions are also tough. If India want, they can give Suryakumar Yadav a chance. It all depends on what Virat Kohli thinks, what the coach thinks. As of now, three innings have been played.”
“I feel it is too early to bring in a youngster in such testing conditions. It will be a really tough task for him. Pujara, on the other hand, is dependable and he has performed before in these conditions. He has failed so far but let’s give him one more Test.”
“For anyone youngster coming one-down, facing James Anderson and the other bowlers… England have a very good attack and the conditions are quite difficult. Look at the England players. Playing at home, the top three are hardly able to do anything substantial,” Salman Butt pointed out.
Salman Butt: Sadly Top Class Batsmen Ajinkya Rajhane And Cheteshwar Pujara Are Not In Form
Apart from Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has also been struggling for runs. He made 49 in the first innings of the WTC final but hasn’t done much of note since. Ajinkya Rahane perished for 1 in the first innings at Lord’s, hanging his bat outside the off stump to James Anderson.
“Elaborating on the middle-order struggles of India’s senior batters, Butt said: “Both Pujara and Rahane are India’s top-class players. Sadly, they are not in form. But if you replace someone in the middle of the series, this is only the second Test, the pressure increases on the dropped player as well as on the one who is coming in.”
“It will not be easy for another batter to come in and perform in English conditions. They (Pujara and Rahane) have played three innings so far and, according to me, it is too early to replace them.”
Ajinkya Rahane is averaging just 19.21 this year from 9 Tests while Cheteshwar Pujara has done slightly better at 27.78 from the same number of games. Resuming Day 2 at Lord’s on 276 for 3, India folded up for 364 as James Anderson claimed his 31st five-for. In reply, England went to stumps at 119 for 3.
Following a long wait, Suryakumar Yadav has made an excellent start to his international career. He was the Player of the Series in the ODIs against Sri Lanka and scored a half-century in India’s win in the first T20I as well. Suryakumar Yadav has played 3 ODIs where he amassed 124 runs averaging 62 and 4 T20Is where he amassed 139 runs averaging 46.33.
Although he is yet to play Tests, Suryakumar Yadav has a compelling record in first-class cricket, scoring 5326 runs in 77 first-class games at 44.01, with 14 tons.