India Can Play Suryakumar Yadav In Place Of Struggling Cheteshwar Pujara; But Too Early To Bring A Youngster In Such Testing Conditions, Feels Salman Butt  

Former Pakistani cricketer Salman Butt feels that India can replace struggling Cheteshwar Pujara with Suryakumar Yadav in the upcoming matches of the Test series against England. However, the former Pakistani skipper also pointed out that it is too early to bring a youngster in the playing XI in such testing condition. Cheteshwar Pujara has struggled in recent times while batting in Tests.

In the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in June this year, Pujara came up with scores of 8 and 15. In the first Test against England at Nottingham, the right-handed batsman scored 4 and 12 not out.

In the 1st innings of the ongoing India vs England 2nd Test match at Lord’s, the 33-year-old lost his wicket for just 9 runs. Since 2021, Cheteshwar Pujara has averaged in the ’20s while batting in Tests.

If India Want, They Can Give Suryakumar Yadav A Chance Against Cheteshwar Pujara: Salman Butt

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt said that India can replace Cheteshwar Pujara with Suryakumar Yadav in the upcoming Test matches of the series but it all depends on what Virat Kohli and the Indian coach thinks.

“Pujara is struggling. The conditions are also tough. If India want, they can give Suryakumar Yadav a chance. It all depends on what Virat Kohli thinks, what the coach thinks. As of now, three innings have been played. I feel it is too early to bring in a youngster in such testing conditions.

“It will be a really tough task for him. Pujara, on the other hand, is dependable and he has performed before in these conditions. He has failed so far but let’s give him one more Test,” Butt said in the video.

Salman Butt also said that facing pacers like James Anderson and other England bowlers will a big challenge for any youngster.

“For anyone youngster coming one-down, facing James Anderson and the other bowlers… England have a very good attack and the conditions are quite difficult. Look at the England players. Playing at home, the top three are hardly able to do anything substantial,” Butt further said.

Suryakumar Yadav became a part of India’s squad against England after three Indian players namely Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill, and Avesh Khan were ruled out of the tour due to injuries. Yadav, who showcased a great batting form in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, was chipped in to replace these players along with Prithvi Shaw.

Meanwhile, India has scored 364-10 in the 1st innings in the 2nd Test against England at Lord’s. In reply, England reached 119-3 at the end of Day 2 with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow at the crease. India vs England 1st Test ended in a draw after rain affected the entire Day 5 of the encounter.