‘Kohli has the same average as Pujara’ - Aakash Chopra questions India’s roadmap in Test cricket

Even though Aakash Chopra clearly mentioned that he doesn’t want to make any opinion but the point that he made regarding Cheteshwar Pujara’s sudden omission from the Test squad has questioned India’s roadmap in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Notably, the 35-year-old has been dropped after a poor performance in the WTC final against Australia as youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal is very likely to replace him in the playing XI. However, talking about his omission, Chopra pointed out that the Rajkot-born cricketer has the same average as Virat Kohli in the last two years but unfortunately, Pujara faced the axe.

He also pointed out that despite having the worst average in the last two years, Ajinkya Rahane has been brought back into the squad and has been reappointed as the vice-captain of the side. Besides, Chopra also drew attention to the averages of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. Interestingly, both the batters have the same average with Kohli having played three matches less. However, the former cricketer is hopeful that if Pujara grinds hard, then he can as well make a comeback, just like Rahane did against Australia in the WTC final at The Oval.

“Now that Pujara is not there, the question is was it the right decision? I am not going to make an opinion. I'm only going to show a few numbers of Indian batters in Test cricket in the last three years. Rohit Sharma has scored the most runs with an average of 43 in 18 matches. Shubman Gill averages 32 in 16 matches and KL Rahul 30 in 11 matches. Pujara has an average of 29 in 28 matches. Kohli, during the same period, also has the same average as Pujara. The only difference is that Kohli has played three matches less than Pujara.

 He is not getting younger by the day, Indian team has started to look in a different direction: Chopra

Aakash Chopra further added that the way Ajinkya Rahane performed in the main event game and was recalled to the Test side for the West Indies tour is quite unexplainable when compared with Pujara's case. He also pointed out the reason based on which the veteran batter was dropped. Notably, Rahane averages the least and yet selectors only chose the Gujarat-based batter to axe.

“Ajinkya Rahane, who has played 20 matches, his average is the worst in this list, which is 26.50. So these are the numbers based on which Pujara has been axed. You should never say never because when Ajinkya Rahane has come back like that, Cheteshwar Pujara was also dropped in between, and his performance was amazing in county cricket due to which he was given a place again in the team. He did well too (in Tests) but now it seems, the next WTC cycle is starting, he is not getting younger by the day and maybe the Indian team has started to look in a different direction ” Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, after getting dropped from the national team, veteran batter Pujara has made himself available for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. He is also likely to join Surrey later in the year for the remaining County Championship Division II.