3 Players who can replace Cheteshwar Pujara at number three in India’s Test team

Well, in recent times, Cheteshwar Pujara’s batting has got very iffy and inconsistent. The batter who used to be India’s next best after Virat Kohli has immensely become dodgy with his gameplay. In the previous WTC cycle, Pujara had just averaged around 28, scoring 841 runs from 18 games.

Overall, in a nutshell, the veteran is scuffling since India’s first-ever pink-ball Test. In fact from the 2021 WTC final, the 33-year old has been staying afloat on very thin ice.  Comprehensively, even his latest erratic fifty-plus scores have just allowed him to hang by thread.

Hence, with team India’s current loss in SA demanding a remodelling of the batting order, let’s check out three batters who can replace Pujara in the longest format.

3 Players who can replace Cheteshwar Pujara at number three:

1. Hanuma Vihari

For the longest of times now, Hanuma Vihari has been in the reserves for team India. The batter who used to be previously considered as number six option overseas has been direly waiting. However, if the 28-year old is selected to replace Pujara then India can again expect rigidity and steadfastness at number three.

Much like Pujara, Vihari is a classical red-ball batter. With a flawless technique, Vihari is well equipped to bat in all conditions. In fact, in his short career, former captain Virat Kohli had praised that the dressing room feels calmer when Vihari is out in the middle.

Perhaps in terms of his stats, the cricketer has so far played 13 Tests, scoring 684 runs at an average of 34.20. In overseas assignments, Vihari was India’s best batter in West Indies especially considering his selection happening over Rohit Sharma. At number three, Vihari can smoothly grind predominantly because of his high ball consumption appetite.

Overall even when it comes to amassing runs on sub-continent pitches, the Andhra boy has an excellent first-class record at an average of 55.50. Nevertheless, with Ajinkya Rahane’s establishment also getting uncertain, Vihari could even be backed for number five.