Cheteshwar Pujara’s absence from the Indian squad for the upcoming Test series against West Indies has garnered attention. The decision made by the BCCI’s selection committee disappointed former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, who pointed out an interesting statistic regarding Pujara and Virat Kohli.
Chopra analyzed the batting averages of top-order Indian batters from January 2020 till date and highlighted that both Pujara and Kohli have an average of 29.69 during that period. Pujara, despite being dropped last year, scored 1455 runs in 28 matches, while Kohli managed 1277 runs in 25 matches.
“Now that Pujara is not there, the question is was it the right decision? I am not going to make an opinion. I’m only going to show a few numbers of Indian batters in Test cricket in the last three years. Rohit Sharma has scored the most runs with an average of 43 in 18 matches. Shubman Gill averages 32 in 16 matches and KL Rahul 30 in 11 matches. Pujara has an average of 29 in 28 matches. Kohli, during the same period, also has the same average as Pujara. The only difference is that Kohli has played three matches less than Pujara. Ajinkya Rahane, who has played 20 matches, his average is the worst in this list, which is 26.50,” he said. (YouTube)
Chopra presented these numbers without offering his opinion on the decision. He also mentioned the performances of other Indian batters, such as Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Ajinkya Rahane.
Chopra suggested that the selectors’ decision reflects a new direction for the Indian team in the new World Test Championship cycle, with a focus on younger options. He acknowledged the possibility of Pujara making a comeback, but noted the team’s inclination toward a different direction.
“So these are the numbers based on which Pujara has been axed. You should never say never because when Ajinkya Rahane has come back like that, Cheteshwar Pujara was also dropped in between, and his performance was amazing in county cricket due to which he was given a place again in the team. He did well too (in Tests) but now it seems, the next WTC cycle is starting, he is not getting younger by the day and maybe the Indian team has started to look in a different direction,” he said. (YouTube)
