With Virat Kohli missing… – Stuart Broad questions Cheteshwar Pujara’s snub, Jasprit Bumrah’s absence and Ranchi Test pitch

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Former England pacer Stuart Broad opened up about the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara from the ongoing Test series between India and England. He said that in the absence of Virat Kohli, the veteran batter could’ve brought some consistency to the Indian lineup. 

Cheteshwar Pujara hasn’t been part of the Indian team ever since India lost the final of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia. The Indian team management sidelined him, saying that it was time for the youngsters to take the baton from him. 

Cheteshwar Pujara was dropped from the team after a series of low scores under his belt. But over the years he has been an incredible servant for the Indian team in Test cricket. The batter has played a huge role in making the team a dominant force in the longest format of the game. 

Cheteshwar Pujara was the main architect behind India’s two-Test series win in Australia and also played a vital hand in India drawing the series in England. After he got dropped from the team, the batter didn’t stop the hard work as he is grinding hard in the domestic circuit. 

Cheteshwar Pujara was in red-hot form in the Ranji Trophy and piled out a huge amount of runs. With Virat Kohli opting out of the Test series against England, there were a lot of speculations that India would turn back to the veteran batter. However, it didn’t happen as they backed youngsters. 

The move hasn’t done any good to the team in the ongoing Test series against England. India’s middle order has looked fragile and there hasn’t been a sense of consistency in the batting order. If Pujara had been there, with his experience things might have worked in favour of India. 

Stuart Board raised concerns over the future of Cheteshwar Pujara in Tests and believes that had he been part of ongoing England Tests, he would’ve anchored the innings well. Taking to his Twitter account, the former England fast bowler stated: 

“With the experience & world-class talent of Kohli missing, would there have been temptation to bring back Pujara into this India batting line up? Or is his international career over? Feels like he could have brought some consistency and an anchor.”

I can’t understand why they’ve prepared a pitch like this? Stuart Broad on Ranchi pitch 

Stuart Broad also shared his verdict on the ongoing Test match between India and England. He believes that the visitors are on the top and also raised questions over India management resting Jasprit Bumrah. He stated: 

“Haven’t seen much of this Test match as of yet, just clicked on now. England massively on top. Spinners bowling accurately, uneven bounce. Cracks. Bowlers dream. 350 looks 100 above par. Toss in this series seems crucial. Bat first, dominate the game. Bumrah ‘rested’- can’t understand it. 8 overs in his last innings. Handed initiative back to England.” 

England won the toss in the ongoing game and opted to bat first. They piled up 353 runs on the board based on the unbeaten 122 runs knock by Joe Root. With the ball, the visitors, then were on top as they reduced India to 177/6. The pitch too played the part as the ball stayed low. 

Stuart Broad made a point, saying that India are extremely good team on flat tracks but he couldn’t understand why they make pitches on which the ball rolls along the floor. He believes that it comes as a disadvantage for India. He added: 

“I mainly tweet about England- but looking at India. They’re an amazing team on flat Test pitches in India where their spinners skill comes into it & they out bowl other teams. Playing on pitches that roll along the floor brings in the opposition so much more. I can’t understand why they’ve prepared a pitch like this?”

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