India is scheduled to play two-match Test series on Bangladesh soil starting from December 14. Ahead of the first Test (December 14-18), former Indian batter Mohammed Kaif heaped praise on star test player Cheteshwar Pujara. Notably, Pujara was dropped from the team for the home series against Sri Lanka this year.
However, the veteran batter made a comeback to the side for the rescheduled test against England. after being dropped, Pujara proved selectors wrong and scored runs in County Cricket and also on the domestic circuit.
Lauding Pujara, Kaif said that he had made selectors surrender with his performance. “The way he scored runs after getting dropped, he has set an example for young players on how to make a comeback. He went to play County cricket, he scored centuries in four-day matches and 50-over games, which prompted the selectors to recall him. He made the selectors surrender in front of him,” the former Indian batter told NDTV during an interaction organised by the Sony Sports Network.
Kaif said that team India needs batters like Pujara who can bat at a certain pace and are even useful on spin tracks. He further added that age is just a number for the player of Pujara’s skills.
“Age has nothing to do with cricket. It is a skill-based game. It’s not football, where you have to run up and down continuously during the match. In fact, age is a plus point. You learn with experience and improve. Pujara, Kohli and Rohit and prime examples,” Kaif said as quoted by the media house.
He further stated, “Test cricket is a skill-based format, you have to play for days and you need experience for that. You need players who can bat on turning, as well as seaming tracks, and you only get better with time. Pujara is a prime example.”
India suffered a setback ahead of the Test series as captain Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the first Test due to a thumb injury. KL Rahul will be leading the side. India will be looking to whitewash Bangladesh in the series to keep their hopes alive for playing the World test Championship Final which is expected to take place in the first week of June next year at the iconic Oval Cricket Ground in London.
