File photo of Cheteshwar Pujara© AFP
Indian cricket team batter Cheteshwar Pujara was considered for the last three Test matches against England in the recently concluded series but chief selector Ajit Agarkar decided to go with youngster Devdutt Padikkal, according to a report. Padikkal was included in the India squad after KL Rahul was ruled out due to injury ahead of the third Test match in Rajkot. The report claimed that Pujara was considered because of his impressive domestic record but Agarkar believed that Padikkal’s height will be an added advantage against the England bowlers and he was also going well in Ranji Trophy.
“It was Agarkar who suggested Jurel’s name. The team management wasn’t too confident about him as he was still a rookie. Picking a youngster who hasn’t had much red-ball exposure at the top level straightaway into the Indian side for an important series like England was always going to be a brave call but Agarkar had seen enough to vouch for the youngster,” a BCCI source told Hindustan Times.
“There was a discussion about Cheteshwar Pujara, who was scoring runs in Ranji Trophy. The batting line-up literally had no experience. But Agarkar stood firm on looking ahead with Padikkal’s selection. He was present when he hit a fluent 150 in a Ranji Trophy and he believed that his height would come in handy against the inexperienced England spinners,” the source added.
Padikkal finally made his debut for India in the final Test in Dharamsala and the left-hander looked in control against the England bowlers as he scored a gritty 65 in the first innings.
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