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Is Cheteshwar Pujara's career nearing its end? The experienced 35-year-old batsman was left out of India's Test squad for the upcoming series against West Indies, following his underwhelming performance in the World Test Championship final. It seems that Pujara's future in the national team may be in doubt, as India looks to transition its lineup during the next WTC cycle.
However, reports suggest that Pujara still has a chance to make a comeback. According to a BCCI source, while the doors are open for Pujara's return to the Test squad, he will need to work hard for it. Despite not being involved in the Indian Premier League like most other players, Pujara showcased his batting prowess for Sussex in the County Championship, scoring consecutive centuries against Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. Nevertheless, he struggled against the Australian team in the WTC final, scoring only 14 and 27. Some former cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar, criticized Pujara's omission, feeling he was being made a scapegoat for India's poor performance.
The source mentioned that if Ajinkya Rahane can be made the vice-captain of the Test team after being out for 15 months, Pujara also has the potential for a comeback. India's Test batting lineup, featuring Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Pujara, is getting older, and the selectors need to nurture the next generation of cricketers to lead Indian cricket in the future. Rahane, whose Test career received a boost with his performance in the WTC final, was rewarded with the vice-captaincy position. This demonstrates that Pujara could still have a chance to represent India.
The source emphasized that the doors are not closed for any senior player, but the team needs to transition gradually. The selectors aim to avoid a situation where all the experienced players retire simultaneously, leaving the dressing room devoid of valuable experience.
Besides Rahane's vice-captaincy and Pujara's exclusion, the Test squad against West Indies also saw the surprise exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan, with Ruturaj Gaikwad being preferred over him. The lineup also marks the return of Navdeep Saini and includes debutants Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, and Gaikwad. The presence of Kohli, Rohit, Jadeja, and Ashwin suggests that the veterans still have much to offer.
In summary, the future of Cheteshwar Pujara's career is uncertain, but he still has an opportunity to make a comeback. The Indian team aims to transition gradually while ensuring the presence of experienced players. The Test squad against West Indies also features notable exclusions and inclusions, indicating a balance between nurturing new talent and relying on seasoned performers.
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