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Cheteshwar Pujara In Contention As India Squad For BGT 2024-25 To Be Announced On October 28

Selectors pondering on Pujara's inclusion [Source: @BCCI/X.Com] Selectors pondering on Pujara's inclusion [Source: @BCCI/X.Com]

Cheteshwar Pujara was a walking nightmare for Pat Cummins and company on the last two tours of Australia and the seasoned campaigner could be a surprise pick in India's jumbo squad for the upcoming five-Test series Down Under.

The selectors are expected to announce the squad on October 28. Pujara could get the selectors' nod if Ajit Agarkar and his team decide to fall back on his experience.

The 36-year-old was the leading run-getter in the 2018-19 series with 521 runs off 1258 balls and was once again the backbone of Indian batting three years later when he accumulated 271 runs off 928 balls.

Across the two teams, the 103-Test veteran by far faced the most number of balls to wear out the opposition attack comprising Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Pujara has not played for India since the World Test Championship final in June last year.

His appetite for big runs hasn't satiated yet as he scored 234 off 383 balls against Chattisgarh in the last Ranji Trophy round. However, despite the truckloads of runs he has scored in recent times, any call on his comeback will depend on the team combination and whether the team management wants to go back to older players.

Should Pujara be recalled for BGT 2024?

Despite Pujara's stellar record against the Aussies, there is a conception that the team management shouldn't go back to the players who are not a part of the Test future. India already have a set of players of ready and with the likes of Sarfaraz Khan doing well in the Test setup, there is no need to go back to former players.

However, his record truly stands out and there is a reason why the selectors might be contemplating on Pujara's inclusion. In 25 Tests vs Australia, Pujara has 2074 runs, at an average of 49.38, including 5 centuries and 11 fifties. Purely on the basis of stats, he should be included, but will the selectors draft him back? For that we have to wait.

(Inputs from PTI)