Harbhajan feels Pujara should never have been dropped from the Indian team.
Harbhajan Singh heaped praise on veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of the rescheduled fifth and final Test against England, starting on Friday (July 1) in Birmingham.
He said that Pujara has been phenomenal for Team India, especially in overseas conditions, and felt the right-hander has always been targeted unfairly for his place in the national team, despite making crucial contributions with the bat.
Harbhajan also hailed Pujara’s decision to play in the County Championship to retain his place in the Indian team after being dropped from the side following the South Africa tour earlier this year. Pujara scored over 700 runs in the County Championship and he is now in England for the fifth Test.
Harbhajan Singh told SportsKeeda: “It is important to keep playing cricket which Pujara does. Although in the county, bowlers are not as threatening as in international cricket, even there you find a few such bowlers. Good to see Pujara choosing this option of playing and showing good form there. And see, he has always contributed. When we went to Australia, he played a huge role but people spoke very less about him.”
He added, “Each time you need someone to see off the new ball, score runs, and hold one end up, there is no one better than Pujara. The sword wrongly hung around his neck. People said to drop him, the rest are playing well, which I feel was wrong. Pujara has been phenomenal for Team India when it comes to touring abroad. Because he does not lose wickets, and makes things easier for the rest. He softens up the old ball and that is the reason India have won so many matches abroad.”