Skip to main content

"Someone Like...": Pujara Wants This Star To Bat At No. 3 vs Aus. Not Gill

The 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy will get underway on Friday, with India taking on Australia in the first Test of a five-match series in Perth. The Indian team will enter an unfamiliar territory as veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who was a vital cog in the team's last two Test series triumphs in Australia, not part of the team for the lengthy tour. Pujara, who is part of the official commentary team for the series, feels Test cricket is moving into a different direction with white-ball players provide a fresh approach to batting in the longest format of the game.

Young batter Shubman Gill, who has been batting at no. 3, a position which Pujara made his own for over a decade, is likely to miss the opening game at the Optus Stadium due to a thumb injury.

Gill will have his task cut out against Australia, but Pujara wants the youngster to back his technique and carve out his own identity.

"Shubman has already played Tests in Australia. He has experience of handling those conditions. He should back his style and play according to it. But he needs to be clear about which shots to play and which ones to avoid because you can't play many of the shots in Australia that you play in India," Pujara in an interaction organised by Star Sports.

Pujara also advised Gill to be a bit thoughtful with his shot selection going forward.

"He needs to assess his strengths and identify the shots he must avoid. But he is a very talented player with a wide range of shots in his repertoire. Still, in Australia, you often have to avoid many shots. He needs to identify and avoid those," he added.

However, Pujara wants veteran batter KL Rahul to bat no. 3, highlighting the latter's experience of batting in the middle order the key factor.

"Someone like KL Rahul would be good at No. 3 because he has the technique and temperament for it, but it seems like the management want to make him open the batting," Pujara explained.

Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal, who was added to India's squad on the eve of the 1st Test, is likely to bat at no. 3 if Gill misses out.



source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/someone-like-cheteshwar-pujara-wants-this-star-to-bat-at-no-3-vs-aus-not-shubman-gill-7071593

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

156.7 Kmph Sensation Awaits India Debut, Bangladesh Start Life After Shakib

Pace sensation Mayank Yadav is expected to unleash his raw speed while the absence of India's T20 regulars will provide another opportunity to the fringe players in the three-match series against Bangladesh, beginning here Sunday. Having consistently generated speed in excess of 150kmph in his maiden IPL earlier this year, Mayank had drawn the attention of the cricketing world before a side strain ruled him out of the tournament. Usually, one has to prove fitness in domestic cricket to be considered for national selection but the 22-year-old has been fast-tracked into the side considering his special talent. The series against Bangladesh will be a test of his fitness and temperament. It is yet to be figured if he can display the same accuracy and control that he exhibited in the IPL. Besides Mayank, fellow Delhi pacer Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy could also make their India debut over the course of the series. Nitish was picked for the Zimbabwe tour post the T...
Post a Comment
Read more

PCB Not Happy With Pak Star Over Social Media Post On Babar Snub: Report

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not pleased that Fakhar Zaman questioned the selection panel's decision to sideline Babar Azam from the Test side. The panel dropped former captain Babar Azam when they announced the squad for the remaining two Tests against England in Multan and Rawalpindi. Zaman took to X to question the decision, inviting the ire of the PCB. "The top board officials are not pleased with the tweet sent out by Fakhar and relevant persons are having a word with him about it," a well-informed PCB source said. "It's concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn't bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. "If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on sa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gardner Shines Again As GG Register Six-Wicket Win Over UPW In WPL 2025

Skipper Ashleigh Gardner starred with both bat and ball, leading Gujarat Giants to a comprehensive six-wicket win over UP Warriorz in their Women's Premier League match in Vadodara on Sunday. Gardner (2/39) claimed two wickets and then scored a stylish 32-ball 52, her second consecutive fifty, as Gujarat registered their first win of the third edition of the tournament, following a loss in the opening game to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Opting to bowl, Gujarat produced a clinical effort with young spinner Priya Mishra returning impressive figures of 4-0-25-3. Skipper Gardner, Deandra Dottin (2/34), and Kashvee Gautam (1/15) also played key roles in restricting UPW to 143 for nine. Chasing 144 to win, the Giants were reduced to 22 for 2 with opener Beth Mooney and Dayalan Hemalata back in the pavilion after UPW introduced spin at both ends. However, Gardner produced an inspired knock, adding 55 runs off 42 balls with Laura Wolvaardt (22) to resurrect the innings. Gardner struck t...
Post a Comment
Read more