Veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed his concerns about the Indian team ahead of the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test in Melbourne. Cheteshwar Pujara said that the Indian bowling looks a bit weak, especially in the spin department, after the withdrawal of Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ashwin announced his retirement following India's draw in the Brisbane Test. This left the team with limited options in the spin department. Ashwin decided to leave the team and return home to Chennai with Ravindra Jadeja as the main rotation option for the Indian team in the next Test match.
Batting Is a Little Better – Cheteshwar Pujara
Speaking to Star Sports, Cheteshwar Pujara said that the top order did not perform well, but the middle order, including players like Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and even the tail-enders like Jasprit Bumrah and Akashdeep, contributed the bat
“The biggest question and the reason for a bit of concern is that the Indian bowling is looking a bit weak. The batting is a bit better as the top five have not done well but the middle order and the lower middle order, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish and even the tail-enders Bumrah and Akash Deep have contributed with the batting,” Pujara said .
There is a weakness in bowling – Cheteshwar Pujara
Pujara said that with the withdrawal of Ravichandran Ashwin, India is facing a dilemma in terms of team combination. He said that although the three seamers are strong, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja do not fully support the attack. Pujara added that India needs to strengthen the bowling department.
“Now, there is a weakness in bowling, so what will you feed the team? That's the biggest question because you can't drop Nitish, you can't drop Jadeja, so what will the team combination be? Ashwin has retired, so two spinners, I don't think they will play in Melbourne. So how will you strengthen your bowling? Because the three seamers are very good, but their supporting role is. Nitish Kumar is the fourth seamer and Ravindra Jadeja is the fifth bowler.” Pujara added.
We will have to think about it – Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara emphasized the importance of taking 20 wickets to win a Test match. Pujara acknowledged the uncertainty over how to tackle this issue in the bowling department.
“If you add both of them together, the bowling is not that good. We will have to think about it because if you want to win a Test match then you have to take 20 wickets and the ability to take 20 wickets is not that good, the supporting role of the other bowlers is not good , so we're going to have to improve that as soon as possible, and how that's going to be, I don't know, but that's a big question.” the 36-year-old continued.
The fourth Test between India and Australia will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) starting Thursday, December 26. The Boxing Day Test match is crucial for both teams as the ongoing series is tied at 1-1.
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