Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned if the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel would consider Cheteshwar Pujara after he scored his 18th first-class double century, which is the most for any Indian batter.
Pujara scored a fine knock of 234 runs for Saurashtra while playing against Chhattisgarh in the Ranji Trophy clash but the match ended in a draw. Meanwhile, Pujara has an impressive record against Australia but made his last Test appearance for the team in the WTC final in 2023.
Pujara had scored 521 runs at an average of 74.43 in four Test matches on the 2018-19 tour of Australia and thus played an instrumental role in India’s maiden win on the Australian shores.
The right-hander faced 1258 balls in the four-match Test series and breathed down the neck of the opposition bowlers with his solid defense. Furthermore, Pujara scored 271 runs in four Test matches on the 2020-21 tour of Australia at an average of 33.88.
“Will India consider him for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? The series before the last one was Pujara’s series. However, last time as well, everyone forgets that while breaking Gabba’s pride his entire body had turned blue by continuously getting hit by balls,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra noted that the current Indian batting line-up doesn’t have a defensive batter.
“So there too Pujara was there and you don’t see a defensive batter in this entire team. Is India still thinking? I am not sure they are but should they?” he observed.
The renowned commentator showered praise on Pujara for scoring a magnificent double-century in the domestic circuit.
“Cheteshwar Pujara now has 18 double centuries. He is cricket’s pujari and his name is Pujara. He is outstanding. Three players are ahead of him still, I was reading a tweet from Circle of Cricket – Don Bradman, Wally Hammond and Patsy Hendren. Herbert Sutcliffe and Mark Ramprakash are below him,” he said.
“18 first-class double centuries – Cheteshwar Pujara sahab, you are different, you are unbelievable. He keeps scoring runs like this always. He is absolutely stellar,” Chopra stated.
The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played in Perth from November 22 onwards.
