Pujara's Exclusion Becomes Hot Topic After New Zealand Loss: Former Selectors Debate Agarkar's BGT Decision of Choosing Nitish Reddy

Discussions surrounding Cheteshwar Pujara have started picking up steam following India's disappointing Test series loss at home against New Zealand. This defeat marked the end of India's impressive 18-series winning streak on home soil, putting their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final in jeopardy. The upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will be crucial for India, as they need to win at least three matches to stay in contention. There is a growing demand from fans for the selectors to bring back Pujara, but opinions are divided among former selectors. Some believe that Pujara's solid batting technique and experience are needed in the team, while others argue that it is time to move on and give opportunities to younger players. The selectors will have a tough decision to make as they look to find the right balance for the team in the upcoming series.

Former chief selector of the Indian men's team, MSK Prasad, in conversation with PTI, reckoned that India missed the trick by not including Pujara for the Australia Test series given his impressive record in the last two series Down Under. The former cricketer consolidated his point by reminding that the India batter scored a double century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match last week.

“Pujara just scored a double hundred in the Ranji Trophy. He brings that experience and solidity which the Indian team requires in Australia. I feel, if they had to pick Nitish Reddy, you could have waited for at least one India A match and taken it from thereon,” Prasad said.

In 11 appearances in a Test match in Australia, Pujara has scored 993 runs, the fifth-highest among Indians, at 47.28 with three centuries and five fifties. He was, in fact, the Player of the Match in India's historic 2018/19 series win, where he amassed 521 runs in seven innings at 74.42.

Vijay Dahiya and Devang Gandhi had a divergent view on this issue and reckoned that India should not go back to Pujara having clearly indicated over the last 12 months that they have moved on from the senior batter.

“Look Pujara has been phenomenal for India but with due respect, the double hundred came against Chhattisgarh, which doesn't boast of best domestic attack. It was a match where 1000 runs were scored and both teams got a point,” Dahiya said.

Gandhi also felt that if the current selection committee has decided to move on from Pujara, then it is not prudent to look back.

Pujara last played for India in the WTC final in June 2023 against Australia.