Pujara has played 102 Tests for India [Twitter]
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar heaped high praise on Cheteshwar Pujara, stating that the national team is still not ready for life after the gritty No.3 batsman.
Pujara, 35, has been a rock of the Indian Test batting (alongside Virat Kohli) for the better part of the last 12-13 years.
The champion batsman was dropped from the Test team last year following a poor run in England and South Africa, but he eventually forced his way into the line-up on the back of consistent scores for Sussex and Saurashtra.
In his absence, India tried Hanuma Vihari at No.3 last year, but the Andhra cricketer failed to make the coveted spot his own.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar hailed Pujara as India's most dependable batsman.
"He has always played County cricket, whether India have a tour scheduled in England or not. Because there's T20 cricket going on in India at the time. He was dropped last year, and we saw how life after Pujara could be, and it wasn't that great. Today, Pujara is the most dependable player in the Indian lineup. After he came back, I'm ready to accept that India is not ready for life after Pujara yet. They still need him,”
That said, Pujara has struggled in England for a major part of his career, but the upcoming WTC final happens to be against his favourite opposition- Australia- and the champion batsman will hope to put another great show against them, and lead India to a well-deserved title win.
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