Sunil Gavaskar’s Defence of Cheteshwar Pujara: A Scapegoat or a Loyal Servant?
Cheteshwar Pujara has been dropped from Indian Cricket Team’s Test Squad for the West Indies tour 2023. It is understood that perhaps pujara is no longer in the scheme of things. Sunil Gavaskar has criticized Indian Cricket Team’s selectors for dropping Cheteshwar Pujara. Gavaskar believes that Pujara has been made a “scapegoat” for India’s recent batting failures, particularly their loss in the World Test Championship final against Australia. This decision has raised questions about the selection criteria and the treatment of Pujara, who has been a loyal servant of Indian cricket. Let’s delve into the details and explore the statistics surrounding Pujara’s exclusion.
Pujara’s Omission: A Questionable Decision| Sunil Gavaskar| Cheteshwar Pujara| India vs West Indies 2023 | Ind vs WI 2023:
Gavaskar, known for his astute observations, expressed his perplexity at the decision to drop Pujara while retaining other players who have also struggled with their batting performances. In an interview with India Today, he stated, “Why has he been dropped? Why has he been made the scapegoat for our batting failures? He has been a loyal servant of Indian cricket.” Gavaskar further emphasized that Pujara’s absence on social media platforms should not be the determining factor for his exclusion, as it seems to be a prevalent trend nowadays. The veteran cricketer called for transparency and an opportunity to question the selection committee chairman regarding such decisions.
Examining Pujara’s Recent Performance| Cheteshwar Pujara| India vs West Indies 2023 | Ind vs WI 2023:
To evaluate Pujara’s contribution to the team, it is essential to analyze his performance in the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle. While he may not have been the highest scorer, he still managed to accumulate 928 runs in 32 innings, with an average of 32, including one century and six half-centuries. Comparatively, the highest run-scorer in the cycle, Virat Kohli, had a marginal lead with 932 runs in 30 innings, averaging 32.13, with one century and three half-centuries. These statistics highlight Pujara’s significant contribution to the team’s batting lineup and make his exclusion all the more puzzling.
Pujara’s Potential Comeback| Cheteshwar Pujara| India vs West Indies 2023 | Ind vs WI 2023:
With the potential return of injured regulars such as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, the road back for Pujara might prove to be challenging. These developments raise concerns about Pujara’s future prospects and the selectors’ rationale behind singling him out as the fall guy for the team’s batting failures.
The Value of Domestic Tournaments| Cheteshwar Pujara| India vs West Indies 2023 | Ind vs WI 2023:
Gavaskar also questioned the significance of domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, highlighting Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the Test squad. Gavaskar voiced his doubts about whether the Indian Premier League (IPL) had hindered Khan’s selection, given his underwhelming performance in the tournament and limited opportunities with the Delhi Capitals. He argued that if IPL performances alone are the criteria for national selection, the value of the Ranji Trophy diminishes, undermining the significance of red-ball cricket.
Conclusion | Cheteshwar Pujara| India vs West Indies 2023 | Ind vs WI 2023:
As the controversy surrounding Pujara’s exclusion unfolds, it becomes evident that the decision has raised more questions than answers. Sunil Gavaskar’s defense of Pujara as a loyal servant of Indian cricket resonates with fans and raises concerns about the selection process. Pujara’s contribution to the team’s batting lineup cannot be undermined, and his exclusion seems unjustified, particularly when other players who struggled were retained. The selectors must provide clarity and transparency regarding their decision-making process to avoid further scrutiny.
