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“Washy should be our spinner” – Cheteshwar Pujara backs all-rounder for pink-ball Test
By SMCS - Nov 30, 2024 8:20 am
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Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara said that the Indian team must not change their bowling attack for the second 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Adelaide as well. He also backed the visitors to retain Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana after their stunning Test debuts in Perth.

Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Pujara said: “There is no question about it. This bowling attack has given us success. [Jasprit] Bumrah looked really good. [Mohammed] Siraj was very good. And then it was supported by Harshit. He bowled really well, you have to accept that. He was playing his first game [for India]; still he ended up pitching the ball up.”

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“In Australia, it’s very easy to get carried away and sometimes when you look at the pace of the pitch, it offers a bit more extra bounce… But he was still looking to hit the right spot, good length, try and hit the top of off, and he has that ability. So I think we should carry on with the same bowling attack. And Nitish also, he had a bit of a bowl,” Pujara further added.

Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar continues his form in Mumbai

Of all the bowlers India used in Perth, off-spinner Washington Sundar had limited impact as well. He also bowled only two overs in the first innings and claimed 2-48 in the second. Pujara also backed Sundar to retain his place as he feels Team India might need his batting skills in the pink-ball Test as well.

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“He [Washington] didn’t look really good when he started his bowling, but eventually he got a couple of wickets, he varied his pace, so Washy should be our spinner because he can bat well. The reason he was chosen in this squad is because he can bat. It will be important in the second Test match that, in case we lose a few wickets early, if the lower-middle order needs to contribute, Washington can do that role,” Cheteshwar Pujara concluded.