Childhood mentor expresses optimism amidst excluded India batsman’s bad patch; feels he ought to have been retained in touring squad
Karsan Ghavri
Former India all-rounder Karsan Ghavri, whose contribution to the growth of Cheteshwar Pujara is significant, hopes that the now-excluded India No.3 batsman can make a comeback because the team still need a player like him.
Ghavri, who represented Saurashtra before moving to Mumbai, played a key role in advising Pujara’s father Arvind when the batsman was growing up.
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On one of his early trips to Mumbai in the 1990s, young Pujara batted at the nets of Ghavri’s former employers Bharat Petroleum and impressed those present. That player ended up playing 100-plus Tests.
Cheteshwar Pujara plays the uppercut during the WTC final last month. PIC/Getty Images
But the road hasn’t been smooth. Despite some monumental performances over the years, Pujara has been criticised for his slow batting. More recently, he got dropped and is not part of India’s Test team in the West Indies.
Pujara played for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy final that concluded on Sunday with the South Zone clinching the title. His lack of form continued as he only managed scores of nine and 15.
Also Read: 'Dropping Cheteshwar Pujara from Tests a positive move': Lalchand Rajput
Ghavri was quick to admit that Pujara is looking off colour, but hopes he can return to form. “His form is slightly poor, yes, but there is class too. I hope he can bounce back soon. India need players who can hold one end and bat long. Pujara can do that,” remarked Ghavri.
He slammed the decision of the selectors to drop Pujara after India’s loss to Australia in the World Test Championship final, where Pujara could manage only 14 and 27.
“It’s not a fair call to drop him, they could’ve rested him. Someone who has played 100-plus Tests and has played so many memorable innings, deserves more respect. If you think long-term, he could be valuable when India tour South Africa [2024]. They should’ve kept him in the squad,” said Ghavri.
Pujara doesn’t emerge radiant in the numbers game. His batting average since the start of 2020 in 28 Tests, is 29.69 as opposed to a career average of 43.60.
Cheteshwar Pujara. PIC/Getty Images
Pujara was dismissed while playing an uppercut shot in India’s second innings of the WTC final.
The ball by Australia skipper Pat Cummins took a feather off the face of his bat and was pouched by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
With that dismissal in mind, Ghavri made it clear that Pujara need not do anything differently in order to succeed. He just needs to focus and play. “He doesn’t need to change his technique. No need to experiment. Test cricket is situation-based. His dismissal in the second innings of the WTC final… I have never seen him play that shot in 100 Tests. It’s not his shot, it’s not his game. No need to do that,” said Ghavri, who took 109 wickets and made 913 runs in 39 Tests.
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