Veteran India middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara faced rock bottom in recent times and it’s going to be a huge task for him to return to his usual form for the upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa. Moreover, his struggle with the bat in recent times has made his place in the playing XI uncertain too as well.
While the team has been facing controversies, they got a big blow as their key batsman Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury. And, in his absence, Pujara will have to play an important role in the batting order as well. And, prior to the first Test between India and South Africa on Sunday, Pujara would hope to get back in his sublime form as well.
Former India player Pravin Amre has claimed that although Cheteshwar Pujara will be in India’s playing XI, there will be huge pressure on him to perform.
“I am sure Cheteshwar (Pujara) has received messages from the team management. I have read this in media reports. He has scored 6589 runs in Test cricket. All the runs he has scored are hard-earned. He has won India Test matches. He is experienced and has scored runs when Team India needed them, it has not been easy for him. He has played his role to win Test matches,” Amre told CricketNext in an interview.
“It’s important to back then than doubt their abilities” – Pravin Amre
Pravin Amre further added that while both Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane is struggling with their form in the middle-order and need to get back among runs soon as well.
Moreover, they have tough competition outside from the players like Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, and Suryakumar Yadav as well. And, Iyer has already left his mark with a century and half-century on debut as well.
“They are not rookies; they are in the team because they have delivered. So it’s important to back them than doubt their abilities. These two boys – Rahane and Pujara – have done well for India when the chips were down,” concluded Pravin Amre.
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