Cheteshwar Pujara exposes Agarkar and Gambhir, reveals real reason behind Sarfaraz Khan's Test snub

Cheteshwar Pujara has revealed the possible reasons behind Sarfaraz Khan’s snub from the Indian Test team after he was overlooked for the upcoming England tour.

Pujara felt the Indian cricket team management might not have the trust in Sarfaraz Khan’s ability to succeed on foreign soil, and that’s why he was possibly not selected for the Australia tour earlier and now the England tour.

Cheteshwar Pujara breaks silence on Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion

With Sarfaraz Khan consistently piling on runs in domestic cricket, but on Indian pitches, the Mumbai batter’s exclusion yet again stunned many. But Pujara believes that the Indian selectors might think the right-handed batter lacks the technique and temperament that are needed for tough overseas conditions like those in England and Australia.

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The veteran Indian Test batter also hinted that Sarfaraz Khan’s past fitness record could be another reason behind his continued snubs from India’s Test team. However, the batter has made noticeable improvement in recent months, losing 10 kg, but he is yet to fully convince the selectors.

It's a bit unfortunate: Cheteshwar Pujara on Sarfaraz Khan's Test snub

Cheteshwar Pujara said on the Sony Sports network, as quoted by the Hindustan Times, “The reason he is not in the squad, I feel, is he has been very successful in the Asian conditions or in India. The management feels that he may not be as successful in Australia or in England. And there were some fitness issues in the past. I don't know about his current fitness. But he has been working hard on his fitness also. So, at this stage, I feel it's a bit unfortunate.”

Pujara also said that Karun Nair has been doing well in domestic cricket for a long time, and he deserved the opportunity on the England tour. He added, “But at the same time, someone like Karun Nair, who has performed really well in domestic cricket, deserved an opportunity.”

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Cheteshwar Pujara wants Karun Nair to take Virat Kohli's spot at No. 4

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara shared his thoughts on India's Test batting order after a number of new faces were drafted into the squad for the England tour. The veteran right-handed batter said that it’s still unclear whether Shubman Gill will bat at number three or move to number four.

Pujara said that if Gill moves down, players like Abhimanyu Easwaran or Karun Nair “could be a good fit at that position.” However, the veteran wants Gill to bat at No. 3 and give Karun Nair, who’s done well in domestic cricket, a chance at number four, where Virat Kohli batted.

Ideal position for Karun would be number four: Cheteshwar Pujara

He signed off by saying, “I would still like to see if Shubman can carry on batting at number three and someone like Karun, who has batted really well in domestic cricket, gets an opportunity to bat at number four. It will be a bit more suitable for him because Karun is someone who hasn't batted at number three in domestic cricket. I'm not saying he can't do it for the Test team, but the ideal position for Karun would be number four.”

Notably, the much-awaited five-match Test series between India and England is all set to get underway on June 20 at Headingley. Before this Test series, India will play a warm-up game against India A, who will play two unofficial Test matches against the England Lions later this month.