Former India player Wasim Jaffer said that India need to find a batter like Cheteshwar Pujara if they want to be successful in the upcoming all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 as well. He also stated that the visitors can only win if they post substantial totals as well. Notably, India will face Australia in a five-match Test series, with the first game starting in Perth on November 22. Pujara has not been chosen in the 18-member squad picked for the series as well.
During an interaction with Sports Tak, Jaffer said, “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,” he shared.
“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 need to find somebody like that. If India put runs on the board, then only they can win. Otherwise, I feel Australia have the upper hand,” Jaffer further added.
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In the same interaction, Wasim Jaffer was also asked whether the 0-3 defeat in the recent series against New Zealand or the 0-2 loss in his debut series against South Africa is more hurting as well.
“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 added.
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“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,” Wasim Jaffer concluded.
