Cheteshwar Pujara's snub, Nitish Reddy's inclusion for BGT 2024-25 questioned by Ex-Chief selector

Former chief selector MSK Prasad is disappointed over the exclusion of veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara from the squad for the upcoming Test series in Australia. MSK Prasad also said that the selectors could have waited for one India A match to make a decision regarding Nitish Reddy’s inclusion.

On October 25, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, named an 18-man squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series. Pujara was not included in the squad despite his impressive record in Australia. Fans expected his inclusion after the team's disappointing series against New Zealand.

Cheteshwar Pujara Brings That Experience And Solidity - MSK Prasad

In a conversation with PTI, MSK Prasad highlighted Cheteshwar Pujara's recent form, including a double century in the recent Ranji Trophy. Prasad said that Pujara brings that experience and solidity to the team on bouncy conditions in Australia.

“Pujara just scored a double hundred in the Ranji Trophy. He brings that experience and solidity which the Indian team requires in Australia. I feel, if they had to pick Nitish Reddy, you could have waited for at least one India A match and taken it from thereon,” Prasad told PTI.

Cheteshwar Pujara has a good record in Test matches in Australia. He is the fifth highest among Indians with 993 runs in 11 Test matches at an average of 47.28, including three centuries and five fifties. He was the Player of the Match during the 2018-19 series win, scoring 521 runs at an average of 74.42.

The 36-year-old batter hasn't played for the India national cricket team over the last one year. Pujara last played for the Men in Blue during the World Test Championship 2023 final match against Australia. The right-handed batter scored 41 runs across two innings in India's loss during the summit clash.

Cheteshwar Pujara Has Been Phenomenal For India - Vijay Dahiya

Vijay Dahiya believes India should not reconsider including Cheteshwar Pujara in the team. He added that the selectors have moved on from him over the past year. Dahiya pointed out that his recent double century was against a weaker team, Chhattisgarh, in a high-scoring encounter.

“Look Pujara has been phenomenal for India but with due respect, the double hundred came against Chhattisgarh, which doesn't boast of best domestic attack. It was a match where 1000 runs were scored and both teams got a point,” Dahiya said.

You Can't Shy Away From It - MSK Prasad

MSK Prasad said that aging is an inevitable aspect of cricket but emphasized that the team isn't scoring enough runs in the first innings of Test matches. Prasad believes that the team could secure victory if they could manage to score around 450 runs in the first innings.

“Age is natural and you can't shy away from it. Definitely, a phase like this would come and transition doesn't happen overnight. In our case, this team has a nice blend of youth and experience but I am worried about a certain pattern,” Prasad said.

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