India’s poor show in the recent Test series against New Zealand at home has raised concerns over their batting order with the form of senior batters including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli coming under close scrutiny. With the Australia tour starting in a couple of weeks, doubts are being raised over if Indian batters will be able to hold their own on pitches expected to aid bowlers.
Each of India’s previous two tours of Australia resulted in a winning scoreline of 2-1. However, back then the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were intrinsic part of their middle-order, and each played a significant role in their historic victories.
However, Pujara has since lost his place in the Test setup as he was dropped following the India’s defeat in the final of the WTC in England last year. Former India wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa feels that India will have to make place for Pujara.
“There is still a place for a player like Cheteshwar Pujara. According to me, a place for him will have to be made in this team as soon as possible. It’s a need," Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.
Uthappa felt that India’s batting order is brimming with batters who are more attackers than grafters and therefore an anchor like Pujara can help the team perform better.
“We have mostly aggressive batters from No. 1 to No. 6. We need someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahul Dravid, Kane Williamson and Will Young. We always need someone who can become an anchor and hold one end up and all the other batters can bat around him," Uthappa said.
India endured a historic 0-3 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand at home which has invited scrutiny, and the BCCI reportedly is going to hold a meeting with captain Rohit Sharma, coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to review the performance.
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