‘Don’t know what the criteria is’ - KL Rahul on Cheteshwar Pujara being named vice-captain for Bangladesh Tests

Following the conclusion of the three-match ODI series, hosts Bangladesh play team India in a two-match Test series scheduled to commence on December 14, Wednesday. Stand-in skipper KL Rahul shared his thoughts on the vice-captaincy role handed to veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara, revealing he had no idea about the selection process.

The BCCI announced an updated squad ahead of the first Test match of the series, which saw some notable changes. With Rohit Sharma being ruled out, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Cheteshwar Pujara were a few surprising names among others joining the side. However, the aspect which has baffled a lot of fans is the move to appoint Pujara as the vice-captain.

At a pre-match conference, KL Rahul was asked about the decision of naming the veteran batter as his deputy for the series. Rahul came up with a rather diplomatic response stating that he did not know what the ‘criteria’ was.

“I at least don’t know what the criteria is. Whoever is picked, you give yourself a pat on the back and continue. Even for me, when I become the vice-captain, you get happy that you have the responsibility of the team. It really doesn’t change too many things. Everybody in the team knows their roles and responsibilities and how much the team appreciates their contribution,” told the stand in skipper.

Whoever is appointed, he tries to take the responsibility: KL Rahul

Rahul further praised Pujara and Rishabh Pant for their contributions to the side so far. In addition to this, he also told that the players play as a team, irrespective of the result of the match.

“Rishabh and Pujji (Pujara) have both been brilliant for us in Test cricket. They have done the job so many times. So, we don’t really think so much. Whoever is appointed, he tries to take the responsibility and we carry on as a team. The team wins as 11 players and when we go down, we go down as a whole team,” added Rahul.

Team India will look for results in their favour in the red-ball clash as they aim to claim a spot in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 summit clash. With six Test matches remaining to be played before the WTC Final, the Men in Blue have a fair chance of making it to the finals of the event and the Bangladesh series could get them a step closer.