Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Cheteshwar Pujara scored 829 runs from 8 games last season. What to expect from Cheteshwar Pujara this season?
Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s legendary red-ball batters, has gone out of favour from the scheme of things and has not been considered for Test cricket in recent times. Aside from a few senior players, the selectors have gone largely with a young-looking side for Tests.
The right-hander played the last of his 103 Test matches at the Oval, and it was the World Test Championship Final against Australia. Since then, the 36-year-old has been overlooked, and young Shubman Gill has taken over the mantle of being the new No. 3 Test batter for India.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s recent Test record
Pujara was one of India’s most prolific run-getters, having scored 7195 runs at an impressive average of 43.60 with 19 centuries. However, his numbers dwindled at the fag end of his international Test career.
To put in perspective, Pujara played 24 Tests since the start of 2021, scoring 1292 at a lowly average of 30.76, with a solitary 100+ score to his name. These numbers are below par, especially if we are talking about a seasoned campaigner such as Cheteshwar Pujara.
How has he fared in first-class cricket?
While not being considered for the Test side, Pujara continued to play red-ball cricket for Saurashtra and English country team Sussex. The veteran has been in tremendous form, hammering 1330 runs, fourth-most this year, and it has come at an average of 66.50 in 14 games with five centuries to his credit.
The above numbers include the 829 runs that Pujara amassed in the 2023/24 Ranji Trophy at a whopping 69 runs per innings, scoring three tons in the season. These numbers are great, but does that warrant a comeback for Pujara into the national team? The national selectors didn’t feel so, as Gill was given a long rope.
What does Pujara need to do to make a comeback?
Well, for starters, the right-hander, being a one-format batter, needs to have another of his prolific seasons with the bat. He must score a truckload of runs in the coming Ranji season to keep him in the reckoning for a recall. With age not on his side, time is moving rather quickly as far as Pujara is concerned.
But we know Pujara as a fighter, and who can ever forget his battles to save India on numerous occasions? So, apart from his batting form, he must show grit and determination in the upcoming games to stake a claim.
The thing that could go in his favour is that India is touring Australia, a place where both Pujara and India have found success. In both the series that India won, Pujara played a mighty role with the bat, and this fighting demeanour is needed from the former to make a strong comeback.
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