'Time will not be on their side' - Sunil Gavaskar explains why return of Pujara-Rahane duo is difficult

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar is not much surprised with the exclusion of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane and has said that a little more runs in South Africa would have helped their cause. Pujara and Rahane, who are currently part of their state sides in the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season, were dropped from the Indian squad for the upcoming home Tests against Sri Lanka and instead, youngsters were preferred.

The likes of Wriddhiman Saha and Ishant Sharma have also faced an axe and the Chetan Sharma-led selectors panel has still claimed that the doors are open for Rahane and Pujara owing to their form. Both these batters have had an inconsistent run of form in the last two years and have been under serious criticism for not making the most out of their opportunities. Pujara has not made an international century since 2019 while Rahane has averaged in the 20s last year with just three half-centuries.

There weren’t enough runs from them: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar explained that a century in South Africa from one of the batters could have slightly helped them to get an extended run and noted that the lack of runs has failed them. He added that the return of Rahane and Pujara is still on the cards if they can manage double centuries in Ranji Trophy but explained the reality of the situation being very difficult for a return because of their age factor.

“It was expected. If in the three Tests in South Africa, one of them had hit a century or played an innings of 80-90 runs, then it would have been a different matter. Yes, Ajinkya Rahane played an attractive knock. But apart from that, there weren’t enough runs from them when it was expected and when the team needed the runs,” Gavaskar told India Today.

“They can return, why not? If they display very good form, score 200-250 in every Ranji Trophy match, then a return is definitely possible. But after this Test series, there is just a one-off Test in England and then after that, there is the T20 World Cup, so we will be in November and December (for the subsequent Test),” he added.

Gavaskar also reckoned that the youngsters might grab on to their spots in the meantime before their return and it will not be easy for a comeback. Rahane has scored a first-class century against Saurashtra last week while Pujara came up with an aggressive 91 as well in the Ranji trophy.

“So I think time will not be on their side because they will be in their mid-30s. If a chance has been given to youngsters in these two vacant spots — and if those youngsters take this opportunity by their hands — then it will be difficult for them (Pujara and Rahane) to return to the team,” Gavaskar added.