‘The chapters of Rahane and Pujara have been closed in India’s Test setup’: Aakash Chopra’s blunt verdict
According to former Indian batter Aakash Chopra, the Test setup for India no longer embraces Ajinkya Rahane or Cheteshwar Pujara. India will be hosting a five-match Test series against England at home.
India’s team for the opening two Test matches of their home five-match series against England was revealed. Rahane and Pujara were not included in the 16-man squad.
Pujara hasn’t worn an Indian shirt since their defeat in the 2023 World Test Championship final in London, and Rahane last appeared for India against the West Indies.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra stated that the Test setup for India has closed the Rahane and Pujara chapters. Additionally, India’s Test series against South Africa did not include either of the two hitters.
“The squad is along the expected lines. We had expected Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara not to be there. I feel that chapter is closed. If you did not pick them in South Africa, that was the last opportunity to pick them. If you did not pick them there, you are not going back to them,” said Chopra.
He continued by predicting Pujara will score 100 first-class centuries and saying that he will keep making runs in first-class cricket. In 258 first-class matches, Pujara has amassed 19,812 runs at an average of 52, with a best score of 352. He has also amassed 62 centuries and 77 fifties.
“Pujara scored a double century last week. He is the saint of cricket. He will keep scoring because he does not score runs only for selection. Half the world scores runs for selection. He plays cricket just because he likes batting. He scores runs because he likes scoring runs. So Pujara will continue to score runs and break all records in first-class cricket. I think he has already scored 61 first-class centuries. He will make 100. He will not stop. He will not retire at all,” concluded Chopra.
India will be facing England in the first match of their series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on January 25.
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