India's batting failures in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand, which included an embarrassing 46 all out in Bengaluru, led to debates featuring the need for someone like Cheteshwar Pujara in the lineup as a stabilizing factor. And former India batsman Robin Uthappa couldn't agree more with that.
India were whitewashed 0-3 by New Zealand -- first such instance ever for India in a home series of three Tests. After losing in overcast and rainy Bengaluru, India were defeated on turning tracks in Pune and Mumbai, which has severely hampered India's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.
India's next Test assignment is the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, which will be contested over five Tests. India won on their last two Test tours Down Under, and Pujara's long stays on the wicket during those tours proved to be one of the reasons behind India's historic triumphs.
"There is still a place for a player like Cheteshwar Pujara. According to me, a place for him will have to be made in this team as soon as possible. It's a need," said Uthappa on his YouTube channel.
India's batting failures against New Zealand also extended the poor run of form for Virat Kohli, who is going through a torrid time this year. In the 10 innings against Bangladesh (two Tests) and New Zealand (three Tests) at home, he could score just one half-century. Captain Rohit Sharma's graph during those two series followed the same path. He too scored a solitary half-century.
Questions have also been raised on India's aggressive approach when there was actually a need to spend time on the wicket.
"We have mostly aggressive batters from No. 1 to No. 6. We need someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahul Dravid, Kane Williamson and Will Young. We always need someone who can become an anchor and hold one end up and all the other batters can bat around him," added Uthappa.
India will begin the tour of Australia with the first Test in Perth, beginning November 22.
