‘There is still a place for a player like Cheteshwar Pujara’ - Robin Uthappa reflects on India’s squad in the BGT 2024-25

Team India is all set to tour Australia for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Both sides will kick off the series by facing off in the first Test on November 22 in Perth. Recently, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) announced the squad for the upcoming Australia tour. 

Despite a star-studded lineup, the management opted not to select veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara for the series. With 103 Tests played throughout his career, Pujara’s experience in the longest format has been key for Team India. With 7195 runs scored and an average of 43.6, on his day, Pujara’s resilience proved to be the difference between a win and a loss for the side. 

Speaking about the veteran’s absence from the squad, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa came forward and talked about how Pujara still could have been included for the Australia tour. 

Also Read: People talk about Rishabh Pant, but Cheteshwar Pujara actually won India BGT 2020-21: Tim Paine

"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,” Uthappa said in a video on his YouTube channel. 

"We have mostly aggressive batters from No. 1 to No. 6. 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,” he added. 

He is an absolute legend of the game: Uthappa

Furthermore, Uthappa also talked about how team India will be heavily dependent on the services of veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin for the upcoming tour. Branding him a legend, Uthappa could not help but highlight Ashwin’s importance to the side. 

"This is just a very temporary form from Ravichandran Ashwin. I think he is an absolute legend of the game, and he is as important to India as Nathan Lyon and Anil Kumble for Australia and India, respectively. India's success will depend a lot on Bumrah, Ashwin, Shami, if he will be fit, and one or two other fast bowlers,” he said.