The BCCI finally named the Indian squad for the series against West Indies. The most surpassing factor of the selection was Cheteshwar Pujara’s elimination from the Test squad. Despite being dropped from the side, Pujara started his training for the upcoming Duleep Trophy on the same day and his father cum coach Arvind Pujara feels that his son can still make a comeback to the national side again.
While speaking to the Indian Express, Arvind Pujara said, “He is mentally very strong. I can’t comment about selection. But from what I have seen, he is batting at his best. In fact he was working hard in the nets the same day post the WI team announcement. He has started preparing for the Duleep Trophy and will continue playing on the county circuit. As a father and coach, there is no reason for me to believe why he can’t comeback.”
Pujara failed to make it big with his willow against Australia in the recently passed WTC final 2023 at the Oval in London, scoring 14 runs off 25 balls in the first innings and 27 runs off 47 balls in the second innings.
Now as per the reports, Pujara will play the Duleep Trophy for West Zone. The report also states that Suryakumar Yadav will also be taking part in the elite domestic tournament, playing for West Zone as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad's replacement. West Zone will play their first match in Duleep Trophy on July 5.
As of now, Pujara has played 103 Tests after making his debut in October 2010 for India. He has collected 7195 runs at an average of 43.61 with the help of 19 hundred and 35 half-hundreds, including 3 outstanding double centuries with a best score of 206 runs. Apart from Test, Pujara has taken part in 5 ODIs, in which he made 390 runs at an average of 20.53 with one half-century.