Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt has questioned Brad Hogg’s comment about Prithvi Shaw replacing India’s vital cog in the Test side Cheteshwar Pujara.

Recently, Australian spinner Hogg conducted a #AskHogg session on Twitter, in which a fan asked him about Pujara’s replacement in the Indian Test Squad.

To which Brad Hogg replied:

“If anyone was going to replace Pujara it would be Prithvi Shaw. Feel he is more suited there than opening. Has a lot of talent and long future. He is not in the tour group but a wild card choice. #EngvIND” 

If anyone was going to replace Pujara it would be Prithvi Shaw. Feel he is more suited there than opening. Has a lot of talent and long future. He is not in the tour group but a wild card choice. #EngvIND https://t.co/8wEF82aq1A

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) July 2, 2021

Former Pakistan Player Salman Butt has expressed his shock over Hogg’s tweet. He says the two, Prithvi Shaw and Cheteshwar Pujara, are completely different players.

“At what time in the night, he (Hogg) made this claim? Cheteshwar Pujara and Prithvi Shaw have styles that are entirely opposite. One is an outright stroke player (Shaw) while the other is an outstanding defender, especially against the new ball (Pujara). Prithvi Shaw’s technique is such that he plays his strokes rather freely and he plays all kinds of shots,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.

India must have better defensive players: Salman Butt

Butt stated that India must have players like Cheteshwar Pujara in their squad, who can hold one end and play a long inning.

“When you play too many shots too early in Test cricket, at times, you struggle. Shaw may be an outstanding talent and could come up with something spectacular to surprise everyone. That possibility cannot be ruled out. But, I am sure India must have better defensive players, who can play the long innings,” Butt further added.

Cheteshwar Pujara has been India’s batting mainstay in Test Cricket. The right-hander has scored 6,244 runs for India in 85 Tests at an average of 46.59. However, his recent form has raised many questions over his place in the Indian Team. The upcoming Test series between India and England will be the perfect opportunity for him to answer back his critics.

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