Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal said that it is very clear that Cheteshwar Pujara is struggling and that the veteran batter can be kicked out of India’s playing XI at any time, considering the fact that Team India has a number of in-form and talented batters at their side.
His comments came after Pujara was dismissed for a golden duck on the opening day of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against South Africa in India. It was the second time Pujara bowled out for a duck, and he now has the most ducks by an Indian batter at no. 3.
Given his struggle with the bat for a long time now, the legendary all-rounder said that there are players like Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer who can push Pujara out of India’s playing XI.
Lal told India Today: “Pujara is struggling. There are no two ways about it. There are players in the squad who can push him out of the XI. At No. 3, even the captain needs a player who can hold the innings and get some runs at the same time. At times, Pujara gets stuck way too much. So clearly, he is struggling.”
Meanwhile, the 1983 World Cup winner also commented on Ajinkya Rahane, who showed some form with the bat, but yet again failed to convert the good start into a big score, as he was dismissed for 48 by Lungi Ngidi on day three of the first Test in Centurion.
Rahane was unbeaten on 40 off 81 balls, striking eight boundaries, but he couldn’t maintain the rhythm and could score just 8 more runs when play was resumed on Tuesday, and the former cricketer reiterated that the veteran must score runs to provide solidity to the side.
He signed off by saying, “Ajinkya Rahane should get runs because the Indian team needs a batter-like him in the middle order. He is technically sound. And when he scores runs, he will have that confidence. Going forward, if some player goes out of form, you need a player who gives you that solidity in the middle order.”
