Cheteshwar Pujara could have been Virat Kohli’s greatest replacement: Karsan Gharvi

The Indian team management dropped Cheteshwar Pujara from the squad after the World Test Championship final in 2023. The goal was to give more chances to the youngsters as Shubman Gill was seen taking Pujara’s number three role in the team, while Yashasvi Jaiswal was asked to open. Pujara, on the other hand, returned back to domestic cricket and worked hard to get back in form. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy, the veteran batter has amassed 673 runs in six matches and with that, he is currently the fourth-leading run-scorer of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Indian team is currently in a state of bother. Star batter Virat Kohli has opted out of the England series citing personal reasons while KL Rahul too is not available for the third Test in Rajkot. As things stand, the hosts have an inexperienced middle order, which is concerning as the series is currently poised 1-1. Speaking on the matter, former cricketer Karsan Gharvi remarked that Pujara could have been Virat’s perfect replacement and he added that the Rajkot-born cricketer should have been part of the squad from the first Test itself.

“I don’t understand the reason why Cheteshwar Pujara was dropped. He should have been in the Indian team right from the first Test. At first, Virat Kohli was not playing the first two Tests and now it has been announced that he would not be playing the remaining three Tests. Cheteshwar was not only the greatest replacement but the greatest player they should have included,” Gharvi was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

“He is still fighting, he is still in good form, he is very much in good shape and even if he comes back, I won’t be surprised,” Gharvi added.

Rajat Patidar is likely to retain his place in the playing XI with Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel expected to make their debut. Sarfaraz is likely to replace Shreyas Iyer, white Jurel will come in place of KS Bharat.