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Why Was Rajat Patidar Picked Ahead Of Pujara For ENG Tests? Rohit Answers

image-lrrm7n7rCheteshwar Pujara [X.com]

Until uncapped Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar had been picked on Wednesday (January 24), speculations were rife that India great Cheteshwar Pujara could be handed another comeback to the Test squad as a replacement of his legendary teammate Virat Kohli against England. 

Pujara, who has been dropped since the marquee final of the World Test Championship (WTC) in June last year, had brought himself in contention with a terrific return to Ranji Trophy duties for Saurashtra in the first three rounds of the 2023-24 season. 

Apart from a marathon double hundred in the first game against Jharkhand, the stoic right-hander had produced knocks of 49, 43, 43 and 66 in the following two low-scoring encounters. The selectors preferred youth over tested experience and gave Patidar a nod on the back of a prolific few seasons, with the 30-year-old averaging 45.97 for his 4,000 runs in first-class cricket. 

Rohit Explains Why Patidar Got Picked Above Pujara?

Speaking to the press ahead of the opening Test in Hyderabad, starting Thursday (January 25), Indian skipper Rohit Sharma hinted Pujara's name had been discussed by the captain and the selection committee. 

However, keeping in mind the overseas assignments coming up later this year in Australia and next summer in England, the decision-makers felt it would be wise to give the younger options their opportunity and allow them to be ready for higher challenges. 

"We did think of going back to the experienced player to fill in Kohli's absence, but then when will we give the youngsters the chance," Rohit said. 


"Sometimes you have to bring in certain players in conditions they are familiar with, we do not want to expose them to foreign conditions," he added. 

Patidar's selection shut the door on Pujara, who is one of the finest Indian players to have played Tests and averages 43.60 for his 7,195 runs from 103 Tests with 19 centuries and 35 fifties, including the best of 206 not out.