Cheteshwar Pujara's dream run in the County Championship cumulated in him making a comeback to the Indian Test squad. The discarded middle-order batter was included in the Indian team for the upcoming one-off Test against England in Birmingham come July.
Former national chief selector MSK Prasad has called Pujara's comeback an unbelievable feat. Speaking to NDTV, Prasad said, "Unbelievable. Only one word I can say is an unbelievable comeback. This shows the commitment he has towards the sport and himself. It's a wonderful story."
"Not many people would have believed what he has done. I think credit to him for the way he performed in the County to stake his claim in the Test team. Because all through his career, he has always been a Test cricketer and had he not been there in this team, I think we would have missed him forever," MSK Prasad added.
Playing for Sussex in the County Division-Two, the right-hander has scored 720 runs in just five matches this season, including two double tons and as many hundreds.
Prasad added that it was consistent performances that ensured Pujara's return.
"It's only through his sheer performances. Otherwise, when we lost that South Africa series, not many people would have thought that he would make a comeback. But hats off to him. If he can do well and win this Test series for us, he will definitely have another couple of years of Test cricket career," the former India keeper asserted.
In February, the Saurashtra-born was dropped from the Indian squad after a string of poor outings ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Earlier, speaking about his return, Pujara said, "I am glad to have been selected for the England Test and happy that my recent county performances were recognised. Having spent some time in the middle during the county games, I do believe it will keep me in good stead as we get ready for the game against England."
India will play a four-day warm-up match against Leicestershire starting June 24. The rescheduled fifth-Test between Rohit Sharma-led India and Ben Stokes-led England will occur at Edgbaston, Birmingham from July 1-5.