India’s Test Woes Continue as Pujara’s Absence Looms Large
India’s recent Test series defeat to New Zealand has raised concerns about the team’s batting lineup, particularly the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Pujara’s steady influence is sorely missed, as the current lineup lacks the ability to grind out sessions and withstand pressure.
Pujara, known for his patient and defensive style of play, has often been a backbone for India in difficult conditions. His ability to hold the crease and absorb pressure has allowed other batsmen to play more freely. However, in his absence, the Indian lineup has struggled to cope with the New Zealand bowlers.
Chopra highlights the team’s shift towards an aggressive approach, questioning whether it is the right strategy for Test cricket. He argues that Pujara’s defensive style, while often criticized as slow or unglamorous, played a crucial role in holding the team together during difficult sessions.
“It will happen repeatedly in Test cricket that you will be asked to play a session where a wicket shouldn’t fall. You need to keep your head down and defend. There is a battle of attrition at times,” Chopra said. “Cheteshwar Pujara’s defensive cricket, that brand of cricket which is non-glamorous, hard-working, staying at the wicket from morning to evening, we are missing that brand of cricket, and we are repeatedly seeing the result of that in collapses.”
Chopra also emphasizes the benefits of Pujara’s presence even when he is not scoring heavily. His ability to occupy the crease and delay the game allows the bowlers to tire and the ball to soften, creating opportunities for other batsmen to score runs.
“You need a guy to stand there to stop collapses even if the scoreboard moves or not. He keeps delaying the game. The bowlers get tired and the ball gets old and soft, and the others score runs. India are of course missing that game style of Pujara,” Chopra added.
The absence of Pujara has left a significant void in the Indian batting lineup, and it remains to be seen how the team will address this issue in future Test matches.
