Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has shared his surprise on Cheteshwar Pujara’s absence from Duleep Trophy 2024 squads. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has named four teams for the domestic tournament but the veteran Indian batter could not find a place in any of the squads.

Pujara last played for the national team in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Kennington Oval in June 2023. He returned with scores of 14 and 27 as India suffered a huge loss of 209 runs. Since then he hasn’t been selected for the Test team and it looks like he is not in the selector’s plans as he has been left out of the Duleep trophy.

Furthermore, the likes of Rinku Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson, and Prithvi Shaw have not been picked.

“I saw the teams and I am surprised that 3-4 names are not there. Ajinkya Rahane is not there. Cheteshwar Pujara is not there. Sanju Samson is not there. Rinku Singh is not there. Shivam Dube has been picked. I think he is being readied as an all-rounder. Let’s see who performs in the Duleep Trophy.

Pujara had scored 521 runs in four Test matches on the 2018-19 tour of Australia and had played a key role in India’s maiden Test series win Downunder. Ali said the senior Indian batter could have been useful in the Australian conditions.

“Pujara could have been of good use in Australia. I am surprised that he is not there despite Gautam Gambhir being there [as India coach]. Even Rinku Singh in not there. Again, considering the Gambhir factor, this is rather surprising,” the 53-year-old added.

India will next take on Bangladesh in two Test matches and three T20Is, starting September 19 in home conditions.