India still don’t have a better batter than Pujara in Test cricket: Harbhajan Singh

Team India suffered a crushing defeat against South Africa in the first Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion as they lost the game by a massive margin of an innings and 32 runs. The Rohit Sharma-led side was completely outplayed in all three departments scoring only 245 and 131 in the two innings respectively. With the ball, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah failed to get any support as South Africa posted a massive score of 408 in the first innings courtesy of a splendid hundred by Dean Elgar.

Following India’s humiliating defeat, former India off-spinner Harbhajan questioned the team management for dropping Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane from the Test squad. Notably, Pujara last played for India in the World Test Championship Final 2023 while Rahane was a part of the last Test series against West Indies in July as vice-captain.

“You didn't select Ajinkya Rahane and have left Cheteshwar Pujara out for no reason. These are the two players who have scored runs everywhere. If you look at the previous record Pujara has the same contribution as Kohli had. I absolutely clueless why Pujara has been left out, we still don't have a better batter than Puajra in Test cricket. He plays slowly but he saves you, because of him India won Test in Australia and England,” said Harbhajan on his YouTube channel.

Notably, Pujara has played ten Tests in South Africa and scored 535 runs at an average of 28.15 with one hundred and three fifties. On the other hand, Rahane has scored 402 runs in six Tests played in South Africa at an average of 36.54 with three half-centuries to his name.

Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer failed to score big for India

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Having dropped the experienced batting stars, India went in with youngsters Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer but the duo failed to make significant contributions in both innings. Gill scored 2 and 26 in two innings respectively while Iyer 31 and 6. 

Meanwhile, having lost the first Test, India will be looking to salvage some pride by winning the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town to tie the two-match series 1-1.