Veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has raised concerns about the Indian team ahead of the crucial Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Melbourne. Cheteshwar Pujara said that the Indian bowling looks a bit weak, especially in the spin department, after Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement.
Ashwin announced his retirement after India's draw in the Brisbane Test. This has left the team with limited options in the rotation department. Ashwin decided to leave the team and return home to Chennai, with Ravindra Jadeja as the Indian team's primary spin option for the next Test match.
Batting is a little better – Cheteshwar Pujara
Speaking to Star Sports, Cheteshwar Pujara said that the top order did not perform well, but the middle order, including players like Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, and even back-row players, like Jasprit Bumrah and Akashdeep, contributed with the bat.
“My biggest question and the reason it's a bit of a worry is that the Indian bowling looks a bit weak. The batting is a little bit better because the top five haven't done well, but the middle order and the lower middle order, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish, and even the back ends, Bumrah and Akash,” Pujara said. Deb contributed to the beating.”
There is a weakness in bowling – Cheteshwar Pujara
Pujara said that with Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement, India faces a dilemma regarding the squad. He said that although the three seamers are strong, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja are not fully supporting the attack. Pujara added that India needs to strengthen the bowling department.
“Now there is a weakness in the bowling, what will you feed the team? That is the biggest question because you can't drop Nitish, you can't drop Jadeja, so what is the mix of the team? Ashwin has retired, so I don't think two spinners will play for Melbourne. So, how Will it strengthen the bowling because the three seamers are very good, but so is Nitish Kumar as the fourth seamer and Ravindra Jadeja as the fifth bowler.
We'll have to think about that – Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara emphasized the importance of taking 20 wickets to win a Test match. Pujara admitted uncertainty about how to address this issue in the bowling department.
“If you add both together, the bowling is not good. We will have to think about that, because if you want to win a Test match, you have to take 20 wickets, and the ability to take 20 wickets is not good, and the supporting role to the other bowlers is not good,” he said. So we will have to improve that as soon as possible, I don't know how that will be done, but that is a big question,” the 36-year-old said.
The fourth Test between India and Australia will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), starting on Thursday, December 26. The Boxing Day Test match is crucial for both teams as the ongoing series is tied at 1-1.
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