Cheteshwar Pujara has been India's Mr. dependable against Australia since 2017. Pujara has scored 1378 runs from 30 innings at an average of 47.51.
Cheteshwar Pujara may be out of contention as far his selection in India’s Test squad is concerned, but if one looks at the record books, the India batter is leading the charts when it comes to matches against India’s fiercest rivals, Australia.
Pujara leads India’s run-scorers list against Australia since 2017
Pujara remains the highest run-scorer for India against Australia since January 2017. He has scored a total of 1,378 runs in 30 innings across 17 Tests against Australia since the beginning of 2017. These runs have come at a handsome average of 47.51 and include 4 centuries & 7 fifties.
What’s even more heartening is Pujara’s performance in Australian conditions; in 8 Tests and 15 innings in Australia, Pujara has notched up 792 runs at an impressive average of 52.80. These runs include 3 centuries & 4 half-centuries down under. His tally in Australia is also the highest for any India batter since 2018.
Poor returns since February 2021 & an underwhelming record overseas working against him?
Well, numbers affirm that Pujara deserves a look in for the Australia tour. But what’s going against him?
It is his sub-standard performance in Tests played since February 2021. This period encompasses the period from just after India’s historic series win down under in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21.
Pujara has managed to score just 1,084 runs in 22 Tests and 40 innings since February 2021. These runs have come at a poor average of 29.29 and include a maiden century, his knock of 102* against Bangladesh in December 2022.
The former India no. 3 batter has a below par overseas record as well if one looks at his numbers. He has managed to score 3292 runs at an average of 37.40 from 92 innings spread across 50 Tests overseas. This compares poorly with his overall numbers where he has notched up 7,195 runs from 176 innings spread across 103 Tests at an average of 43.60.
These returns prove to be a big stumbling block for Pujara in the way towards getting selected for BGT 2024-25.
Read More: Cheteshwar Pujara not ‘The Wall’ but a ‘Road Roller’ who has often blunted the Australian challenge
Pujara’s contribution in BGT 2018-19 single-handedly brought India’s first series win down under in 71 years
Indian fans could never forget India’s first Test series win on Australian soil in BGT 2018-19. And they could never forget that the bedrock of that fabulous performance was laid by none other than Pujara.
The India batter notched up a staggering 521 runs in 4 Tests and 7 innings in that series. These runs were accumulated at a fantastic average of 74.42 and included 3 fabulous hundreds and a sole fifty.
Whether it be the first Test of that series when Cheteshwar Pujara rescued India after they found themselves stuttering at 41-4 on the first morning in Adelaide, or his fighting century in the first innings of the Melbourne Test, the then India no. 3 batter came good when it mattered the most.
His marathon knock of 193 in the last Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) also ensured that India compiled a mammoth 600+ score. This ensured that India would maintain a 2-1 lead in the series and go back home with the coveted BGT silverware.
Beside that, one would also remember his fighting fifty in the chase at the Gabba in BGT 2020-21, which was critical in India’s historic win there.
Does Pujara stake a claim to be selected in BGT 2024-25?
Do the selectors need to just go by Pujara’s recent numbers and ignore a great CV he has against Australia?
India will play in one of their toughest Test assignments in recent years when they tour Australia for BGT 2024-25. The first three Tests will be played respectively in Perth, Adelaide (day-night Test) and Brisbane, followed by the two last Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
While its heartening that India have a solid new opener in Yashasvi Jaiswal and the emerging no. 3 batter in Shubman Gill, having the experience of a battle-hardened veteran like Pujara in the ranks would only boost India’s chances in the challenging series.
This may mean that India will have competition for the no. 3 spot, but when one is preparing for a big war then its best to shore up as many resources as possible. Such tough assignments need to be cracked by a combination of young blood and experience, and it remains to be seen whether the dice rolls in Pujara’s favour or not.
The first Test of BGT 2024-25 will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth from November 22, 2024.
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