By Sudeep Sonawane*
Cheteshwar Pujara’s poor batting form calls for changes in India’s team for the second Test against England starting tomorrow at Lord’s.
Coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli would do well to drop Pujara, and play Ajinkya Rahane at No. 3 and include Hanuma Vihari in the team and put him at No.5 position.
Dropping Pujara from the playing XI is a difficult decision because he has served India well. Nonetheless, a short break would do well for him as well as the team.
There should be no doubt on Pujara’s ability as a Test batsman. He is successful. His statistics prove how vital he is for the team. He has played 87 Tests and scored 6,283 runs, including 18 centuries (3 double centuries) for an impressive batting average of 45.86.
In less than two months, Pujara will complete 11 years in Test cricket since his debut in 2010 against Australia in Bengaluru. Almost two years later, on August 23, 2012, he scored his first Test century (159) against New Zealand and, in November, scored his first double century (206) against England in Ahmedabad followed by 135 in Mumbai, in the second Test of that series.
Pujara consolidated his position in Tests within two years. He regularly features in India’s Test batting line-up at number three position, barring a few matches. A slow starter, set in the traditional mould of a Test batsman, Pujara’s approach of risk-free batting, leaving many deliveries and grinding the bowlers soon typecast him as defensive batter. During the first phase of his career, he fitted well at No.3 with stroke players like Rohit Sharma, Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and currently Rishab Pant and Ravindra Jadeja to follow.
In the period between 2012 and 2019, Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Dhoni, Rahane and Rohit – whenever he got a chance in Tests – overshadowed Pujara’s patient plodding. Fans liked him because he brought calmness and assurance through his riskless batting that gradually increased the team’s total.
Early and cheap dismissals of Kohli and Rahane often put pressure on Pujara. On several occasions India failed to chase totals around 250 in the last innings. This has happened too often. Blaming weather and other conditions are just poor excuses. In recent times, Pujara’s scratching for runs has exasperated fans and compelled his captain to remark “the intent in our batting is missing” in media conferences.
Pujara’s form in 2021 is below par and a major concern for the team. He has scored just four half centuries this year. His last, 73, came on February 5 against England in Chennai. Since then he has scores of 15; 21 & 7; 0 & DNB; 17; 8 & 15; 4 & 12 not out. The last four innings were against New Zealand – India lost the Test Championship final in Southampton – and the first Test of this current series. He scored his last Test century (193) against Australia in Sydney in 2019.
The national selectors and cricket board president Saurav Ganguly should worry that India’s premier Test batsman, after Kohli, last scored a century 32 months or more than two and a half year ago.
Knowing the Indian mindset of persisting with heroes, even if they are out of form, Shashtri and Kohli are unlikely to drop Pujara. If he plays, he will be under pressure to perform.
Kohli, too, must answer questions for his average run in Tests. Although he scored his last century (136) against Bangladesh in November 2019, he faces no threat of losing his place as batsman now. He done well, with five 50 plus scores in his last nine Tests. However, his bad decisions as captain, particularly team selection, field placements and bowling changes deny India control and ascendancy in Tests against different opponents.
If India continues to suffer because of Kohli’s recent strategic failures on the field then the selectors should immediately appoint Rahane as captain. Kohli’s record of India’s most successful Test captain notwithstanding.
Rahane’s success rate as Test captain is awesome. India is yet to lose a Test under his command. He has led India to four victories from five Tests. He is strategically good, particularly his filed settings. This enables him to win Tests with rookies like Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur against strong opponents like Australia.
India will benefit if selectors appoint Rahane as Test captain sooner than later. Kohli could then focus on his batting.
Kohli’s reign as Test captain is under intense scrutiny. The result of this Test series against England could decide his tenure as captain.
Mumbai-born journalist Sudeep Sonawane has worked in five countries. He lives in Surat, Gujarat. The views expressed are personal.
Indian batsmen are not clicking as a unit. Scoring half centuries is not enough. Rohit, Kohli, and Rahane are due for a big century 130 plus effort. If this happens in the fourth Test then India can put England that relies on Joe Root under pressure.