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Cheteshwar Pujara has questioned Manav Suthar’s exclusion from India's Test squad for the New Zealand tour, saying the young spinner should have been included, even as a reserve player. He believes that the New Zealand tour would have given Manav Suthar valuable experience.
Recently, the Indian selectors have picked the squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting on November 19, with Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav being picked as the spin options. The squad is packed with four all-rounders. Earlier, Tim Southee says New Zealand are not scared of Jasprit Bumrah.
Cheteshwar Pujara surprised by Manav Suthar’s omission
Cheteshwar Pujara raised questions about the team selection for such a crucial Test series as the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is at stake. The former Indian batter feels they missed a good chance to prepare Manav Suthar for future Test matches.
Pujara was quoted as saying by Star Sports, "I think someone like Manav Suthar should be part of the Test squad. And if you look at this, his name is missing. And that is very surprising because you… I mean, yes, I know that he may not play both Test matches, but he shouldn’t be out of the squad. So, I don’t know how they are judging this side. But I feel that someone like Manav Suthar should be there even as a 17th man because he should be part of that setup.”
Pujara explains why India should have taken Manav Suthar to New Zealand
Pujara pointed out that Suthar has already played enough Ranji Trophy cricket and performed well to earn a place in India's Test setup. He said travelling to New Zealand would have helped the spinner learn how to bowl in conditions that are very different from those in India.
He shared, “I think this was the best opportunity for him to travel to New Zealand and learn bowling in those conditions. And because whenever India goes to, say, New Zealand, whether it’s England, New Zealand, or Australia, playing outside India is the experience that you want for a young player. And someone like Manav Suthar would have got that travelling to New Zealand.”
Cheteshwar Pujara reveals shocking reality of India's tours to New Zealand
The former batter also explained that India does not tour New Zealand regularly. Based on his own experience of playing international cricket for around 12 to 13 years, he visited the country only twice.
He believes that the young players get very few chances to learn in New Zealand, England, and Australia, so every opportunity matters. Amid this, Sunil Gavaskar says Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable, urges India to build different combination.
Pujara explained, “It’s every, I think, five or six years; you just go to New Zealand. So, gaining that experience will always be a challenge for any Indian cricketer, whether you are playing the red ball or whether we are playing the white ball. So, you will never gain that experience of playing in New Zealand. You only have a limited opportunity, and you have to make the most of it.”
Cheteshwar Pujara exposes India's big problem ahead of New Zealand Tests
Meanwhile, Pujara also expressed concern over India's pace attack without Jasprit Bumrah. The cricket pandit feels the seam-bowling attack lacks experience. Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Gurnoor Singh could be options for the playing XI if Prasidh Krishna is unavailable.
The former Indian batter said that he is not worried about the batting lineup, but without Jasprit Bumrah, that bowling lineup is a bit of a concern. Pujara admitted that the team management is trying to build a squad and give opportunities to the younger players, but he feels the seam bowling attack should have stronger options, especially for the overseas Tests.
