“India need to find somebody like that” – Wasim Jaffer on visitors missing Cheteshwar Pujara in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer reckons Team India needs to find somebody like Cheteshwar Pujara for the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2024-25. Pujara had scored 521 runs at an average of 74.43 in four Test matches on the 2018-19 tour of Australia and thus played an instrumental role in India’s maiden win on the Australian shores.

The right-hander faced 1258 balls in the four-match Test series and breathed down the neck of the opposition bowlers with his solid defense. Furthermore, Pujara scored 271 runs in four Test matches on the 2020-21 tour of Australia at an average of 33.88

But Pujara hasn’t been picked for the upcoming series despite scoring a double-century in the Ranji Trophy clash against Chhattisgarh.

“I feel it will be difficult for the Indian team, to be honest. Beating Australia in Australia is obviously difficult. India played incredible cricket in the two series they won. However, I feel they will have to bat slightly better this time. Pujara is not there this time,” Wasim Jaffer said on Sports Tak.

“I think Pujara was the main guy, the way he played the new ball. He tired out their fast bowlers in the initial overs and then stood there and scored the big runs. India needs to find somebody like that. If India puts runs on the board, then only they can win. Otherwise, I feel Australia has the upper hand,” Jaffer added.

Jaffer said this Test series loss against New Zealand will hurt more than the 0-2 series loss against South Africa.

“I think this will hurt more because I remember we had come after losing 3-0 to Australia. So the confidence was obviously less. The pitch was very bad in Bengaluru. I remember Nicky Boje had picked up wickets and India were only playing with Anil Kumble and Murali Kartik was very young,” he replied.

Jaffer recalled India had an inexperienced bowling line-up against the Proteas and Harbhajan Singh was missing due to an injury.

“It was his debut series as well and Nikhil Chopra was there. So it was a very inexperienced bowling attack. Harbhajan (Singh) was probably not available because of injury. However, I feel this is probably one of India’s best teams. All players were available. Even New Zealand wouldn’t have expected to win 3-0 in India,” Jaffer observed.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.