Once considered as the best Test batsman of India Cheteshwar Pujara has been facing a lot of criticism over the last few months. Pujara has been consistently underperforming in both the Home and Away series. Pujara’s criticism is in full force after the WTC final. Former Australia Spinner has opined Prithvi shaw is the best candidate to replace Pujara.
The 32-year-old skipper Virat Kohli even gave hints regarding making few changes to the team. Although All format captain Kohli did not mention anybody specifically, still fans and experts are assuming he was talking about vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and Test Specialist Pujara.
Lowest Batting Average in Tests since 2020:-
[min. 300 runs]20.1: John Campbell
21.4: R Ashwin
24.6: Virat Kohli*
26.4: Cheteshwar Pujara*
26.4: Joshua Da Silva
27.3: Tom Blundell
27.8: Jason Holder
28.2: Ajinkya Rahane*— ComeOn Cricket 🏏🇮🇳 (@ComeOnCricket) June 27, 2021
Since then cricket fans, experts, and former cricketers are giving their opinions on the change in the Indian Test playing XI. Brad Hogg is the latest one to give his judgments on this matter. Former Aussie spinner has picked Indian opener, Prithvi Shaw, as Cheteshwar Pujara’s replacement. However, Shaw has been playing for India only as an opener and Brad Hogg has picked him for the no.3 spot.
“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 a long future. He is not in the tour group but a wild card choice,” Hogg tweeted in response to a fan’s question.
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
Cheteshwar Pujara runs in the last five Test scores have been utterly disappointing. In the last five Tests, Pujara has registered scores of 8, 15, 17, 0, 21, 7, 73, and 15. Also, Cheteshwar Pujara scored his last century in 2019 against Australia. The 33-year-old Cheteshwar Pujara hasn’t reached a triple-digit score in the last two years.
Prithvi Shaw was dropped from Test side after poor run
Talking about young Prithvi Shaw, he had some great starting in his Test career. However, Shaw was dropped from the Indian Test team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down. Shaw was going through a rough patch which resulted in his exit from the national side.
Shaw was also not included in the home Test series against England as well as for the WTC final and subsequent England series. Meanwhile The 21-year-old will be seen in action against Sri Lanka in limited-overs format. Also, he is most likely to be part of the playing XI, Shaw is expected to open the innings with Delhi capital’s teammate Shikhar Dhawan.
Opener Shaw has been in exceptional form since getting dropped from the national side. Prithvi was the fourth-highest run-scorer in IPL. If he carries his VHT and IPL form in the Sri Lanka tour there is no doubt we will see him back in the Indian jersey real soon.
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