3 reasons why Cheteshwar Pujara should be recalled to Team India squad for the first two Tests

Virat Kohli has made himself unavailable for the first two matches of the Test series against England due to personal reasons. Now it has opened a space for the inclusion of another batter in the squad for the first two Test matches. There is a lot of discussion on various names who can potentially replace Kohli but in this article, we will take a look at 3 reasons why Cheteshwar Pujara should be replacing the former India captain.

An experienced campaigner

The significance of Cheteshwar Pujara’s role in the Indian Test team in the last decade or so is well-known. Pujara has a plethora of experience in international cricket and it would be ideal if an experienced player like him replaces another veteran like Kohli. 

This is a very crucial series considering the World Test Championship (WTC) points that are at stake. In these circumstances, the Indian team should have a seasoned player like Pujara in their batting order. 

Exceptional track record in India

This Test series will be played in home conditions and everyone is aware of Pujara’s track record in Indian conditions. The 35-year-old has played 51 Test matches where he has amassed 3839 runs at an average of 52.58. Pujara’s impressive past performances on Indian pitches exhibit what he can do in the upcoming series if given an opportunity. 

The pitches are once again expected to favour the spinners and sometimes the Indian team has also faced difficulties in tackling the spin. Pujara’s presence will bolster the Indian batting order and help the team to tackle such situations.

Stellar recent form 

After his ouster from the Indian Test team, Pujara has made his case for a comeback with his sublime batting performances in domestic cricket. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, he has scored 444 runs in 3 matches at a jaw-dropping average of 111. 

He also scored an unbeaten double-century against Jharkhand and these performances suggest that the Saurashtra batter has made a resounding comeback to form. His recent form is another cogent argument for his inclusion in the Test squad for the first two Test matches.