Team India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara’s inconsistent run in Test matches in 2021 continued in the first game against South Africa in Centurion as he was dismissed for a golden duck by pacer Lungi Ngidi. This was Pujara’s third duck of this year and he also now has an unwanted record against his name, of the most number of ducks for an Indian batsman at No 3. Pujara (9) surpassed former cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar.

While there were questions on the places of Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in the playing XI, the latter has silenced his critics for a little while with a 48-run knock in the first innings. However, Pujara’s place has come under scanner once again as former India all-rounder Madan Lal said that the 33-year old is struggling.

Speaking to India Today, Lal said, “Pujara is struggling. There are no two ways about it. There are players in the squad who can push him out of the XI. At No. 3, even the captain needs a player who can hold the innings and get some runs at the same time. At times, Pujara gets stuck way too much. So clearly, he is struggling.

Pujara has averaged 28.58 in 14 games he has played in 2021 scoring 686 runs including six half-centuries. 

However, the 1983 World Cup winner put his weight behind former vice-captain Rahane said that he has a solid technique and India need a batsman like him in the middle-order.

“Ajinkya Rahane should get runs because the Indian team needs a batter like him in the middle order. He is technically sound. And when he scores runs, he will have that confidence. Going forward, if some player goes out of form, you need a player who gives you that solidity in the middle order,” he added.

Having dominated the first day of the Test match with the bat, the visitors underwent a massive collapse as they lost 7 wickets for 49 runs to fold for a score of 327 in the first innings against South Africa.