Cheteshwar Pujara continues to score big runs even after being dropped from the nation side

There have been some iconic Test cricketers In the Indian national side who have given some iconic performances. The India vs England series might not be featuring many of those players, but the young players in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have given us a glimpse into the future. Test cricket has been going well for the Indian team. India has already been in two consecutive World Test Championship finals. The India and England series is currently levelled with both teams winning a match each in the series so far.

The likes of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul missing in this squad vs England. However, there is still one player who even after giving some great performances in the longest format is not part of the team anymore. The player is none other than Cheteshwar Pujara who was one of the most dependable batters in the Indian team until the time he was dropped after the WTC final. Pujara has played 103 Test matches where he has scored 7195 runs at an average of 43.61. Pujara with his flawless technique and ability to play as long as he can was an established number 3 batter for the national side in his 13-year career.

Pujara still performing

Being dropped from the national side is still not something that you can easily come back from. Just like every other cricketer Pujara has gone back to playing domestic cricket. Pujara has been giving some exceptional performances for Saurashtra in the ongoing Ranji Trophy this season. Pujara scored 673 runs in the 6 matches and he has played at an average of 74.78, making him one of the top 10 leading run scorers in the tournament. With these performances, Pujara has surely got the selectors to think about his position back into the Indian side as well, with Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill who still have a lot to do to establish themselves in the Test team.

The only thing the selectors will be thinking is that Pujara is currently 36 years of age and this is one of the toughest times for a player to make a comeback. However, Pujara has still shown that he is still capable of scoring big runs in the format from these performances. Right now, Pujara is not featuring in the series vs England, but maybe in the future, we may get one last good run from Pujara. Pujara has also stated getting asked how is he preparing to get his spot back into the team to which he has replied, “By playing a competitive club match in Mumbai just before the Ranji season. I just love this game. I am passionate about it.” These words suggest that Pujara still has some cricket left in him and he is not done yet.