'Unbelievable' - Former chief selector MSK Prasad lauds Cheteshwar Pujara for his India comeback

BCCI announced the squad for the fifth rescheduled Test of the five-match series against England, on May 22 (Sunday), which is to be played from the 1st of July in Birmingham. The few inclusions in the team are now the core of the discussions among the cricket experts in the Indian cricket corridors.

The way senior batter Cheteshwar Pujara has made his comeback to the team has impressed everyone including fans and the cricket experts as well. He has given some stellar performances with the bat, scoring 720 runs in eight innings at an average of 120 with the best score being 203 in the County Championship 2022.

Speaking on his magnificent comeback, former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad praised Pujara terming it ‘unbelievable’. He also lauded the Saurashtra cricketer for his commitment and dedication. Prasad also noted that India would’ve missed Pujara had he not been picked after this performance.

His comeback shows his commitment to the game – Prasad

“Unbelievable. The only word I can say is the unbelievable comeback. This shows the commitment he has towards the sport and himself. It’s a wonderful story. Not many people would have believed what he has done. I think credit to him, for the way he performed in the County to stake his claim to the Test team. Because all through his career he has always been a Test cricketer and had he not been there in this team, I think we would have missed him forever,” he said while speaking to NDTV.

MSK Prasad also felt that many people might not have given Cheteshwar Pujara a chance after his consistent low scores over the last 12 months or so. He also went on to say that India’s famed number three will win the Test series for India in England. To note, India currently lead the five-match series by 2-1. The fifth and final Test was not played last year due to a COVID outbreak in the Indian camp.

“It’s only through his sheer performances. Otherwise, when we lost that South Africa series, not many people would have thought that he will make a comeback. But hats off to him. I think if he can do well and win this Test series for us, he will definitely have another couple of years of Test cricket career.”