Cheteshwar Pujara's absence in India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy labelled irrelevant

Former Team India World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev refused to give importance to Cheteshwar Pujara's absence in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series. Kapil Dev said that there’s no need to discuss players not in the squad, adding that it doesn't make sense in the current context.

Cheteshwar Pujara last played for India in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final, where he scored 14 and 27 as Australia won by 209 runs. Following his snub, Pujara has impressed with his long innings in domestic and County cricket. However, his return to the national team seems unlikely.

Why Talk About The People Who Are Not In The Squad - Kapil Dev

When asked whether India will miss Cheteshwar Pujara in the five-match Test series, Kapil Dev said that there's no point. Dev questioned whether India needs legendary players like Sunil Gavaskar Sachin Tendulkar, or Don Bradman for Australia.

"Whatever the best team you have, you are making them play, and that’s it. One can then ask whether India needs players like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. Why not Don Bradman for Australia? Why talk about the people who are not in the team?" Kapil told Midday.

Cheteshwar Pujara Played Crucial Role in India's Series Wins in Australia

Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 993 runs in 11 games at an average of 47.28 in Australia, played a key role in the Indian cricket team's back-to-back series wins there. However, Cheteshwar Pujara \ has traveled to Australia not as a player but as a broadcaster, as he begins his transition into a commentary role.

Pujara was the player of the series in India's historic Test series win in Australia in 2018-19. He amassed 521 runs in four matches at an average of 74.42, including three centuries. The right-handed batter scored 271 runs with three half-centuries during the 2020-21 series, where the India team won 2-1.

Jasprit Bumrah Should Stay As Normal As Possible - Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev emphasized that Jasprit Bumrah should stay relaxed and avoid putting extra pressure on himself. Kapil said that it's unfair to ask for more than what Bumrah can handle, and the focus should be on letting him find his way naturally as the competition progresses.

"He should stay as normal as possible and not look to do something extra. He should go with the flow, and over some time, he will learn. It's unfair to say, 'What more can he do?' I don't expect anything beyond what he encounters. Let the contest begin, and he will find his way. We must not burden him with expectations," he added.

In June 2022, Jasprit Bumrah became only the second pacer, after Kapil Dev, to captain Team India in Test cricket. As the team's pace spearhead, it will be interesting to see how the captaincy impacts his bowling performance. India is without Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for the first Test in Perth.

Also read: Watch: KL Rahul reaches 3,000 Test runs during gritty knock in first innings of Perth Test