Gavaskar defends ‘loyal servant’ Pujara: ‘Why make him the scapegoat for our batting failures?’
Pujara is the one batter to be neglected for the upcoming Test collection towards West Indies, from the core group that featured in that last. With the brand new WTC cycle starting with the the two-Test tour of the Caribbean in July, the choice panel, led for now by SS Das, have picked uncapped Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad within the 17-member squad. This means India will probably have a brand new No. 3 within the West Indies, until Shubman Gill drops down one place.
“Why has he been dropped? Why has he been made the scapegoat for our batting failures? He has been a loyal servant of Indian cricket,” Gavaskar instructed India Today. “But because he does not have millions of followers on platforms who will make a noise in case he gets dropped, so you drop him. That is something beyond my understanding. What is the criteria of dropping him and keeping the others who failed? I do not know because nowadays, there is no media interaction with the selection committee chairman, where you could ask these questions.”
Pujara managed scores of 14 and 27 at The Oval. Overall, within the 2021-23 WTC cycle, he was India’s second-highest run scorer with 928 runs in 32 innings at a median of 32 with one century and 6 half-centuries. In comparability, Virat Kohli solely fared marginally higher – 932 runs in 30 innings was 32.13, with one century and three half-centuries.
Gavaskar believes Pujara can nonetheless supply a few years to Indian cricket, however the street again to the crew could possibly be a protracted shot, particularly if India’s injured regulars Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer return. For now, Ajinkya Rahane, India’s top-scorer within the WTC last, has been named vice-captain to Rohit Sharma.
“He has been playing country cricket. So, he has played a lot of red-ball cricket, so he knows what it is about,” Gavaskar mentioned when requested if Pujara could make a comeback. “Today, people can play till they are 39-40. There’s nothing wrong, they’re all very fit; as long as you are producing runs and taking wickets, I do not think age should be a factor. Clearly only one man has been singled out, while the others who have failed…to be the batting failed. Apart from (Ajinkya) Rahane, the batting completely failed. Why Pujara has been made the fall guy is something the selectors need to explain.”
Gavaskar questioned the worth Ranji Trophy performances particularly within the wake of Sarfaraz Khan‘s exclusion. The 25-year-old has stacked up mountains of runs over the previous three seasons, His first-class common is second solely to Don Bradman, amongst batters who’ve performed a minimum of 50 innings; he averages 79.65, with 13 lots of and 9 half-centuries. However, he had a modest IPL and wasn’t an everyday starter for the Delhi Capitals, main Gavaskar to marvel if the IPL had been a hindrance to his choice.
“You do well in the IPL and you get to be picked even in Test cricket. That seems to be the situation,” Gavaskar lamented. “Even if you look at the selection of the team, you have four opening batters for two Test matches. It’s not the old fast West Indies attack where you needed six opening batters.
“Sarfaraz Khan has been scoring at a median of 100 in all previous three seasons. What does he should do to be picked within the squad? He may not be within the XI, however you decide him within the crew. Tell him that his performances are being recognised. Otherwise, cease enjoying Ranji Trophy. Say, it is of no use, you simply play IPL and suppose you might be ok for the red-ball recreation as nicely.”