Team India’s Test group has experienced changes recently. Yet, new members haven’t fully made their mark, leaving room for experienced players to step back in.
India’s main struggle lies in middle-order batting. It’s a long-standing problem, and it currently doesn’t have a solid solution.
The choice to start Gill at No. 3, Iyer’s difficulties playing abroad, and other considerations make the return of some more seasoned players highly likely. After Australia’s victory in the World Test Championship (WTC), Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara appeared to have split company with Team India.
Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara are excited for their chance. Ajinkya Rahane even mentioned his hope for a return. Meanwhile, Pujara lets his performance do the talking, after kicking off the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season strongly.
These two weren’t in the first two England home series Tests, but that doesn’t mean the opportunity is gone. With the current squad facing some instability, they could just get their break.
In light of this, let’s examine who of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara has a greater chance of rejoining the Indian Test team.
1. Form
The two players’ current forms are quite unlike from one another.
The 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy ended disappointingly for Ajinkya Rahane. His participation in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy opener against Bihar was scrapped due to neck tension. Even though he bounced back to lead the team against Andhra, he didn’t score any runs.
Despite losing his spot in 2023’s Test, he rebounded in the WTC final. Thanks to his remarkable performance in the 2023 IPL for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, him landing that spot again will depend on improved scoring. Others like Sarfaraz Khan and others are also gunning for the same position in the national squad.
Conversely, Pujara had a middling Vijay Hazare campaign, but he returned to his preferred format without any delay. He hit a magnificent century in the Ranji Trophy match between Saurashtra and Jharkhand, remaining undefeated. In the subsequent domestic team match against Haryana, he scored two sets of forty runs.
If Pujara wants to be back in the national team lineup, he needs to keep up his current form. Hanuma Vihari, who has given up his captaincy with Andhra, and other talents on the home circuit will be his main rivals.
2. Where are Team India currently struggling at present?
In red-ball cricket, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara batted for Team India at No. 3 and No. 5, respectively, and that is an area where they are currently battling. As previously noted, Iyer is under pressure to maintain his position, and Gill has not yet fully adapted to his new post.
Much also relies on whether the group considers KL Rahul to be a long-term solution for wicketkeeping. There is room for one additional batter if they do. KS Bharat now holds a position, and it is unclear how Rahul and Shreyas will fit into the batting group.
For players like Rahul, Shreyas, and Gill, the forthcoming series against England will be critical, and their performance may determine if Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara make a comeback at all.
3. Long-term effects
Given that Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara will both soon turn 36, it is reasonable to assume that India would not consider them as long-term alternatives. If it does, it will only make one forward before taking two steps back.
Pujara’s chances are further enhanced by the fact that India will play Australia in a five-match series in 2024–2025. The tough hitter may get one final chance to travel given how he has handled Australian bowlers in his previous visits, especially if India’s worries do not subside by then.
Rahane is not that far up in the hierarchy and Team India has other choices for his position, thus there is very little likelihood of him receiving a recall even in the aforementioned scenario.
Though Rahane’s experience sets him different from the others, it might not be enough to get him back into the team.
