The upcoming India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy has sparked much anticipation, with the squad announcement revealing both expected and surprising inclusions. While the Rohit Sharma-led side boasts debutants Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the absence of veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has raised eyebrows.
Pujara, known for his resilience and ability to anchor the Indian batting line-up, has been a key figure in India’s recent Test series victories against Australia. However, he was overlooked for the upcoming tour, prompting speculation about his future in the national team.
In a recent social media post, Pujara shared a video of his training session, accompanied by the caption “Sore today, strong tomorrow.” The post has garnered significant attention, with fans expressing their support and urging the selectors to reconsider their decision.
Former India batsman Hanuma Vihari, who played a crucial role in India’s back-to-back series wins in Australia, believes Pujara’s absence will be a significant loss. “Pujara will be a big miss. He was the backbone of the batting line-up in the last two series for Team India,” Vihari said.
Vihari highlighted Pujara’s ability to absorb pressure, bat for extended periods, and provide stability to the batting order. He questioned who would fill that role in the current Indian team, which features a more attacking batting line-up.
Despite the absence of Pujara, India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes a mix of experienced and promising players. Rohit Sharma will lead the side, with Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain. Other notable inclusions include Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
The series is expected to be fiercely contested, with both India and Australia aiming to assert their dominance in Test cricket. India will be looking to extend their winning streak against Australia, while the visitors will be determined to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
