The cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar wanted Cheteshwar Pujara to be rested for the Test series against West Indies. In his opinion, it was better to go with two new faces, Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal in the playing XI.

Manjrekar believes it is time for India to rule the cricketing world with the rich resources they have as a cricket team.

“Indian cricket is now senior in age and in a very advantageous position with regards to its resources and the popularity of the sport. It’s almost incumbent on India to rule the cricketing world, which means that like West Indies and Australia did at their prime, India needs to beat teams like South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia in their backyards,” Manjrekar wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.

“I wish India had done more with the selection of the team for the West Indies series, specifically with regards to their batting. I would have liked to see another senior batsman, like Cheteshwar Pujara, rested to have a look at one more fresh option, along with Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal, to fill the batting holes that cost India the series in England,” he added.

Manjrekar sees no benefit in adding Pujara in the team for a home series where he can easily add loads of runs. “Pujara will get a pile of runs against West Indies like he always does at home. The more new batsmen you try, the better your chances of finding two new batting options with the potential to do well overseas,” he wrote.