India’s batting line-up has drawn many questions for some weeks now due to their recent collapses, especially after the 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand in the recently concluded series. It is yet to be seen if this team can play under trying conditions and face the mighty bowling machine of Australia. Under pressure, India will also miss Cheteshwar Pujara, who used to be a part of all of the tours to Australia but has not been included for the first time. His absence is especially relevant because Pujara was one of the key players during the win of India over Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21 when his tenacity and batting technique had become the bedrock for India’s victories in Australia.

Robin Uthappa Opines About Pujara’s Absence In India Squad

Former India batter and wicket-keeper Robin Uthappa said it is very hard to replace Pujara because of his three-batter role and experience, particularly on such an important tour. However, Uthappa also says that though Pujara has been in tremendous form during Ranji Trophy, his absence would really be felt in Indian middle-order. Pujara’s absence has been filled by Shubman Gill, who now finds himself at number three, a slot he has looked very promising at but handles certain technical sides of his game pretty poorly. Gill came in and impressed during the tour of Australia, yet he does not have the same type of ability to wear down bowlers and sometimes frustrate them over long periods like Pujara did.

“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.”

“We have mostly aggressive batters from No. 1 to No. 6,” said Uthappa about the matter. “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.”

The solidity of Pujara gave way to patient approaches in forging valuable partnerships alongside the aggression displayed by the likes of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant in India’s historic wins in Australia. Not having Pujara available for the early part of the tour might make India look towards the future to identify a long-term replacement for Pujara rather than calling him back.