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On January 29, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced two changes to the Test squad for the second Test against England starting February 2. Along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul complained of pain in his right quadriceps and was ruled out of the second Test. BCCI named in-form batter Sarfaraz Khan, all-rounder Washington Sundar, and left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar in the squad and ignored old guard Cheteshwar Pujara once again. Meanwhile, Pujara continued his good form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24 with a 91-run knock for Saurashtra against Services.
In reply to Services' 536/7, Saurashtra had 154/2 on the board on Day 3 with Pujara relatively new to the crease. Pujara started his knock in his typical manner. After a few wickets fell, Arpit Vasavada batted cautiously as well. The two batters shared an 82-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Later, Pujara picked up pace. He hit 10 fours in his 91-run knock from 133 deliveries. His strike rate was an impressive 68.42. Right-arm pacer Poonam Poonia prevented him from reaching his century. Pujara got bowled by Poonia, nine runs away from his second century of the season. The wicket did not have an impact on the outcome of the game. Saurashtra were bowled out for 462 in their first innings and the game at Palam A Stadium, Delhi ended in a draw.
Pujara has been among the runs in the season. He scored an unbeaten 243 against Jharkhand in Saurashtra's season opener. He registered scores of 49 and 43 against Haryana in a losing cause. Against Vidarbha, he contributed with scores of 43 and 66 in Saurashtra's comprehensive win. In total, he has scored 535 runs in five innings at an average of 107.
Earlier this month, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma revealed why Rajat Patidar was picked as a replacement for the first two Tests in the absence of Virat Kohli.
"Look, actually, we did think about it (going back to a senior player). But all these younger players, when are they going to get their opportunity? That's something we thought, I thought as well," Rohit told the reporters before the Hyderabad Test.
"Leaving out an experienced player or not considering them is very hard. The amount of runs they've scored, the kind of experience they've had, the amount of games they have won for us, you know, it's very hard to ignore all of that. But, you know, you sometimes have to bring certain players into your set-up as well. You have to give them favourable conditions as you don't want to expose them on foreign doors, where they've not played before. So, I think it's important that we try and get some of these youngsters an opportunity,” he added.
Meanwhile, former India captain and head coach Anil Kumble questioned the selectors‘ decision to choose Shubman Gill over an experienced Pujara despite his slump in form.
"He has been given the cushion perhaps even a Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t get, because although he (Pujara) has played over a 100 Tests, I keep coming back to him mainly because that was his place not too long ago. Pujara played in that World Test Championship final and post that, it’s been Shubman Gill, who’s been moving from the opener’s slot, and he himself wanted to bat at No. 3. So, when you want to bat at No. 3 especially in India because you have that talent, you certainly need to work on your game,” Kumble told the broadcasters on Day 4 of Hyderabad Test.
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