BGT 2024-25: Cheteshwar Pujara suggests India to drop this senior player for 3rd test at Gabba

Published at :December 10, 2024 at 7:22 PM

Modified at :December 10, 2024 at 7:22 PM

(Courtesy : BCCI)

Cheteshwar Pujara recommends one change in India’s playing XI for the third test in Brisbane.

While there are calls from fans and experts to replace Harshit Rana with Akash Deep for the third test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, senior India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara reckons the only change India should make is to replace R Ashwin with Washington Sundar.

Rana made a good impression on his debut in Perth but was smoked to all parts of the Adelaide Oval by Travis Head.

The third test will be played at the Gabba, where India scripted an epic win in 2021. One of the heroes of that win was Sundar, who had taken four wickets in that match and hit a fifty.

Cannot drop Harshit just because one match went bad: Cheteshwar Pujara

Sundar played in Perth, but was benched in Adelaide. Pujara feels Sundar should make it to India’s XI in Brisbane as he offers extra batting cushion, something India would need, having been bowled out for 180 and 175 in Adelaide. Ashwin scored 29 runs in the match and picked up one wicket.

“I feel only one change might happen. Since the batting wasn’t good, Washington Sundar can come in place of R Ashwin. Should someone come in place of Harshit Rana? In my opinion, no. You backed him and he performed well in the first match,” Pujara said on Star Sports.

“He is a good bowler. You cannot drop him just because one match went bad. Probably the only change for me would be Sundar for Ashwin if the team feels the batting lineup needs strengthening,” he added.

With the loss in Adelaide, India’s chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 final took a huge dent. They now need to win two and draw on of their remaining three tests in order to secure a place in the final without depending on other results.

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