Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has a surprising choice for India’s No. 3 batter in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Being an experienced batter in that position, Pujara knows what it requires to be good at that role.
Pujara picked KL Rahul to bat at No. 3 in the upcoming Test at Perth. Pujara claimed that Rahul has the experience to handle the pressure situation and he will be a perfect fit for the No. 3 spot.
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Cheteshwar Pujara picks KL Rahul to bat at No. 3
During an interaction with Star Sports, Cheteshwar Pujara was asked about India’s choice for No. 3 in the absence of Shubman Gill. Pujara preferred KL Rahul for No. 3 and cited his experience as the reason behind it.
He claimed that it would be easier for Rahul to bat at No. 3 since he has opened and played the new ball before. Further, he spoke about Devdutt Padikkal being a part of the Playing XI and cited the left-right combination as the reason behind it.
“I don’t know the batting order, but I would prefer KL Rahul at No. 3. He has the experience to handle the pressure. I’ve heard that Padikkal might be at No. 3 due to the left-hand, right-hand combination. But I think, it will be easier for KL to bat first-down,” Pujara said.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s numbers in Australia
Cheteshwar Pujara has been a key part of India’s success on their last two tours to Australia. During the 2018-19 tour, he top-scored in the series and was also adjudged the Player of the series for his performance.
At that time, Pujara was at his peak form and decimated a strong Australian bowling attack. He scored 521 runs in four Tests at an average of 74 with three hundreds to his name. The veteran faced more than 1200 balls during the whole series and showed tremendous resilience.
During the 2020-21 tour, Pujara played key cameos including the one in Sydney where he outbatted Australia for a hard-fought draw. He also played a brilliant innings during the fourth Test at Gabba and helped India create history.
Cheteshwar Pujara has played 11 matches on Australian soil and scored 993 runs at an average of 47.28 with three hundreds and five fifties. Recently, Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood viewed Pujara’s absence from the upcoming series as a sigh of relief.
“I am happy that Cheteshwar Pujara is not here. He is obviously someone who bats time and spends a lot of time at the crease and makes you earn his wicket every time. Has done really well in Australia on previous tours,” Hazlewood told the media in Perth.
Where will KL Rahul bat in Perth?
In his absence, it will be a huge challenge for India to cover up. India’s designated No. 3 Shubman Gill was injured days before the first Test and was ruled out of the match.
However, the reports have claimed that KL Rahul will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal while Devdutt Padikkal will bat at No. 3 spot. In the fast bowling department, India are likely to play four quicks on a fast and bouncy surface at Perth.
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