Cheteshwar Pujara attacks Ajit Agarkar over BGT snub, demands spot for England tour

Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has made his intentions clear that he is ready to make a comeback in the national team for the upcoming high-stakes Test series against England. After winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India’s next assignment is the much-awaited five-match Test series in England, which will also mark the start of the new WTC cycle.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who last played for India in the 2023 WTC final against Australia, has been working relentlessly to stay in contention. Despite being sidelined as selectors looked toward younger talents, the right-handed batter has continued to pile up runs in domestic and county cricket, proving he still has plenty to offer in the longest format of the game.

Cheteshwar Pujara eyes Test comeback for England tour

Now, as the Ajit Agarkar-led Indian selection committee prepares to finalize the squad, Pujara has sent a strong message that he is prepared, experienced, and eager to don the Indian jersey once again on the upcoming England tour. His wealth of experience in English conditions would be crucial for India if the national selectors consider his comeback.

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Cheteshwar Pujara was quoted as saying by RevSportz: “Yes, of course. As a cricketer, you always want to play for the Indian team. And I am doing whatever I can to achieve that success. If the team needs me, I'm definitely ready. I've been playing domestic cricket. I've been playing county cricket for the last couple of years. I've been scoring heavily in the domestic circuit. So, if given an opportunity, yes, I'll be more than ready to grab it with both hands.”

Pujara takes a dig at the Indian selectors for his non-selection for Australia tour

The 37-year-old has also boldly claimed that India would have completed a hat-trick of Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumphs if he was selected for the Australia tour. Notably, India lost the Test series 3-1 to Australia earlier this year for the first time in a decade.

Pujara added, “Yes, I was very confident. If I were there, then we wanted to make a hat trick. So, I wouldn't deny that.” However, the seasoned batter is confident that India will beat the "weaker" England team to return to winning ways in the format.

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We can definitely beat England: Cheteshwar Pujara

He signed off by saying, “This Indian team definitely has a very good chance. Even if you look at the England bowling lineup, they are slightly weaker after Anderson has retired, and Stuart Broad is not there anymore in the playing XI.”

Earlier, New Zealand crushed India in a three-match Test series in their own backyard, and then they lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to Australia. However, the Men in Blue tasted success in the white-ball cricket, winning the home series against England and then the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Presently, the Indian players are gearing up for the upcoming IPL 2025, which is set to get underway on March 22 with RCB taking on the defending champions KKR in Kolkata in the tournament opener.