Pujara had to make some tough choices while picking the XI.
Pujara’s choice also raised eyebrows as only one player from South Africa, the reigning champions of the format, made it to his team.
Speaking in a Cricinfo video, Pujara picked South Africa’s Aiden Markram and India’s KL Rahul as opening batters.
He slotted England’s returning Test captain Joe Root at No. 3, followed by Australian veteran Steve Smith and Indian skipper Gill. India’s Rishabh Pant was the designated wicketkeeper-batter in his team.
Pujara selected Ravindra Jadeja and Pat Cummins as the all-rounders, with a condition. “This is on a normal track, but if the game is somewhere else, like England or Australia, then I might add a seamer or a fast-bowling all-rounder instead of Ravindra Jadeja," he said in the video.
Pujara acknowledged that he would have opted for former England captain Ben Stokes in the team had the all-rounder not retired in June this year.
Australia’s Nathan Lyon was the premier spinner in his playing XI, while Josh Hazlewood and Jasprit Bumrah appear in the team as fast bowlers. Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc, who has been in sublime form of late, failed to make the cut.
Pujara’s best Test XI from current players: Aiden Markram, KL Rahul, Joe Root, Steve Smith, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jasprit Bumrah