The Indian cricket team did not start the 5 match Test series with a 31 runs loss in the first test match played at Edgbaston. Virat Kohli contributed in both innings but the rest of Indian batting order failed.
Top 3 Test innings of Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara was dropped in the first test match due to poor form. He was replaced by KL Rahul who disappointed with twin failures. With India losing the first match and questions on top order 3 batsmen; it was a big blunder to drop to one of best solid number 3 batsman in this current Indian test team.
Here we look at the 5 reasons why dropping Pujara was a big blunder by Team India in the first Test match:
- Solid Technique
India’s number 3 batsman Cheteshwar Pujara in this current team would have been useful where the conditions were helpful for fast bowlers. His ability to stay at the crease for the time could have helped team India against the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ben Stokes and Sam Curran.
KL Rahul replaced him in this test match but was not able to show skills against the moving. He scored 4 and 13 runs, facing just 26 balls. If Cheteshwar Pujara would have been there at number 3 in this match, India could have scored more runs in first innings.
- Experience of playing in England conditions
Before the England test matches, Cheteshwar Pujara was playing for Yorkshire in the England county season. Despite his poor form in England, the number 3 batsman would have been helpful for team India of posting a big total.
In both innings, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan were dismissed cheaply. If Pujara would have been there, his presence would have frustrated. KL Rahul disappointed with his shot selection. Rahane also played bad shots in both innings.
- Facing the new ball
Cheteshwar Pujara would have been useful at number facing the new ball bowlers of James Anderson, Stuart Broad who bowled brilliantly. KL Rahul at 3 looked out of sorts playing poor strokes in both innings. In the third test match against South Africa at Johannesburg this year, Pujara steadied the innings with great technique with top quality bowlers like Rabada, Morkel, and Philander.
At Edgbaston, Dhawan and Vijay got out early which created trouble for rest of Indian batting line up apart from Virat Kohli.
- Temperament
Cheteshwar Pujara has a solid temperament to bat long in tough conditions. His ability to play the ball on the merit makes him a good test player. KL Rahul played two poor strokes in both innings and lacked the temperament to play long innings.
India lost the match by 31 runs with all top order batsmen failing in both innings. If Cheteshwar Pujara would have been there, it would have helped team India to post a decent total in first innings or chase down the target of 194.
- Create pressure on opposition bowlers
Cheteshwar Pujara is known for his solid technique against top quality bowlers. The top 3 batsmen including Vijay, Dhawan, KL Rahul all struggled against the seaming ball. It would have been used for team India.
His ability to put bowlers under pressure with his composure and creating pressure on the opposition bowlers would have been helped team India creating a big difference.